UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT    LOS  ANGELES 


MARY   OF    MAGDALA 


MARY    OF   MAGDALA 

AN    HISTORICAL   AND 
ROMANTIC  DRAMA 

IN  FIVE  ACTS 

THE  ORIGINAL  IN   GERMAN   PROSE 
BY   PAUL   HEYSE 

THE  TRANSLATION   FREELY   ADAPTED 
AND  WRITTEN  IN  ENGLISH  VERSE 

BY  WILLIAM  WINTER 


"  Whereto  serves  mercy, 
But  to  confront  the  image  of  offence  ? 
And  what's  in  prayer,  but  this  two-fold  force, 
To  be  forestalled  ere  we  come  to  fall, 
Or  pardoned,  being  down  ?     Then  I'll  look  up  : 

My  fault  is  past." 

—  SHAKESPEARE. 


THE   MACMILLAN   COMPANY 

LONDON:   MACMILLAN  &  CO.,  LTD. 
1903 

All  rights  reserved 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  years  1902  and  1903, 
by  HARRISON  GREY  FISKE,  in  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress, 
at  Washington. 


All  rights  reserved. 


Set  up,  electrotyped,  and  published,  September,  1903. 


NOTICE  AND  WARNING. 

This  play  is  fully  protected  by  the  Copyright  Law,  all  requirements 
of  which  have  been  complied  with.  In  its  present  printed  form  it  is 
dedicated  to  the  reading  public  only,  and  no  performance  of  it  can  be 
given  without  the  permission  in  writing  of  HARRISON  GREY  FISKE, 
Manhattan  Theatre,  New  York. 


Nortooott  £!rrss 

J.  S.  Gushing  &  Co.  —  Berwick  &  Smith  Co. 
Norwood,  Mass.,  U.S.A. 


r  i 

M  3 1  IAJ  r 


PREFACE 

It  is  suggested  to  the  readers  and  spectators  of  the  drama  of 
"  Mary  of  Magdala  "  that  it  aims  to  depict  a  fanciful  state  of 
facts  and  circumstances,  such  as  might  have  existed  anterior  to 
the  establishment  of  Christianity,  at  a  time  when  Jesus  of  Naza- 
reth—  around  whom,  although  he  is  not  introduced,  the  action 
circulates  —  was  viewed  exclusively  as  a  man,  and  had  not  yet,  in 
the  eyes  of  any  considerable  number  of  persons,  been  invested  with 
a  sacred  character.  The  picture  of  his  personality  that  has  been 
made  in  these  imaginary  scenes  might  seem  sacrilegious,  if  this 
point  of  view  were  ignored.  The  allusions  to  him,  under  the 
various  designations  of  Preacher,  Prophet,  Nazarene,  etc.,  by 
Caiaphas,  the  High  Priest  of  Jerusalem,  by  Flavius,  the  young 
Roman  soldier,  and  by  Judas,  —  here  presented  as  a  Hebrew 
patriot,  —  are  such  as  might  naturally  be  made,  by  different 
orders  of  men,  with  reference  to  a  being  hitman  like  themselves, 
and  not,  to  their  minds,  in  any  sense  divine ;  and,  accordingly, 
these  allusions  should  not  be  misconstrued  as  intending  to  dis- 
parage a  Christian  ideal.  The  defection  of  Judas  from  his 
leader  is  ascribed  to  loss  of  faith  in  that  leaders  ability  and 
purpose  forcibly  to  free  the  Jews  from  bondage  to  Rome,  while 
his  subsequent  betrayal  of  that  leader  is  attributed  to  frenzied 
rage, — Judas  and  Mary  of  Magdala  having  been  lovers,  and 
Mary,  in  her  contrition  and  in  her  practical  regeneration,  hav- 
ing broken  that  alliance,  repudiated  him,  and  given  her  heart  to 
Heaven.  The  tendency  of  the  drama,  in  the  English  form,  as 
here  printed,  while  telling  a  romantic  story  of  action  and  depict- 

5 


6  PREFACE 

ing  aspects  of  Hebrew  life  in  ancient  Jerusalem,  is  to  diffuse  an 
influence  of  charity  and  to  suggest  the  celestial  victory  of  a  human 
soul,  triumphant  over  sin  and  sorrow,  through  belief  in  Divine 
goodness.  Tlie  German  original —  upon  a  rough,  literal  trans- 
lation of  which  the  present  play  has  been  built  —  is  human  and 
compassionate  in  spirit ;  but  it  is  neither  poetical  nor  spiritual, 
and,  in  some  particulars,  it  lacks  refinement.  /Its  exposition  of 
the  Jteroine^s  sJtame  is  somewhat  needlessly  specific  and  ample', 
its  portrayal  of  Flavius,  the  young  Roman  lover,  is  carnal  and 
coarse ;  and  it  makes  the  motive  of  Judas  not  only  the  fanatical 
resentment  of  a  disappointed  patriot,  but  the  sensual  jealousy  of 
a  discarded  paramour.  In  its  original  form  it  would  have 
proved  offensive ;  in  fact,  it  could  not  have  been  presented/  The 
present  adaptation,  which  was  first  written  in  prose  and  then 
rewritten  in  verse,  presents  the  component  parts  of  the  original; 
but,  in  its  treatment  of  them,  it  follows  a  free  course,  making 
essential  modifications,  alike  in  the  structure,  the  character,  and 
the  tone,  and  resulting  in  a  paraphrase.  Upon  a  first  reading 
of  the  German  drama  it  seemed  impracticable  for  the  English 
stage ;  but  a  later  study  of  it  prompted  the  thought  that,  since 
the  subject  represented  by  the  Magdalen  has,  whether  for  good  or 
evil,  become  a  stock  theme  in  theatrical  composition  and  almost 
continually  recurrent  on  the  stage,  a  salutary  influence  might, 
perhaps,  be  diffused  by  utilizing  this  fabric  in  a  modified  form ; 
showing  this  representative  type  of  degraded  womanhood  as  a 
repentant  sinner,  and  indicating — without  either  a  specious 
embellishment  of  vicious  life  or  a  sentimental  appeal  to  maudlin 
sympathy  —  the  only  refuge,  comfort,  and  hope  that  tJie  penitent 
can  ever  find. 

The  introduction  of  this  play  to  the  English-speaking  stage  is 
due  to  the  confident  judgment  and  resolute  purpose  of  Mr.  Har- 


PREFACE  7 

rison  Grey  Fiske  —  who  early  perceived  its  dramatic  as  well  as 
ethical  vahie,  and  never  doubted  its  practical  worth  —  and  to  the 
intrepid  spirit  and  fine  interpretative  instinct  and  facility  of 
Mrs.  Fiske  —  who  brought  to  the  impersonation  of  its  principal 
character  a  profound  sympathy  with  human  suffering,  an  acute 
sensibility,  and  authentic  emotional  force.  The  play,  in  its  Eng- 
lish form,  was  first  acted  on  October  23,  1902,  at  Milwaukee',  it 
reached  Chicago  on  October  27 ;  and  on  November  19  it  was  pre- 
sented in  New  York,  at  the  Manhattan  Theatre,  where  it  held  its 
course,  in  ample  public  favor,  till  February  28,  1903,  when  Mrs. 
Fiske  took  it  on  a  tour,  which  is  still  in  progress. 

W.  W. 

New  Brighton,  Staten  Island,  New  York. 
June  18, 1903. 


"  The  Jews,  .  .  .  animated  with  a  fiercer  zeal  and  a  more  jealous 
faith,  perceived  the  gradual  separation  of  their  Nazarene  brethren  from 
the  doctrine  of  the  synagogue,  and  they  would  gladly  have  extinguished 
the  dangerous  heresy  in  the  blood  of  its  adherents" 

"We  may  learn  from  Josephus  ("  Antiquitat."  xviii.3),  that  the  pro- 
curator ship  of  Pilate  corresponded  with  the  last  ten  years  of  Tiberius, 
A.D,  2"j—3J.  As  to  the  particular  time  of  the  death  of  Christ,  a  very 
early  tradition  fixed  it  to  the  25 'th  of  March,  under  the  consulship  of 
the  two  Gemini" 

"  From  the  reign  of  Nero  to  that  of  Antoninus  Pius  the  Jews  discov- 
ered a  fierce  impatience  of  the  dominion  of  Rome,  which  repeatedly 
broke  out  in  the  most  furious  massacres  and  insurrections.  .  .  .  The 
enthusiasm  of  the  Jews  was  supported  by  the  opinion  that  it  was  unlaw- 
ful for  them  to  pay  taxes  to  an  idolatrous  master,  and  by  the  flattering 
promise,  which  they  derived  from  their  ancient  oracles,  that  a  conquer- 
ing Messiah  would  soon  arise,  destined  to  break  their  fetters  and  to 
invest  the  favorites  of  heaven  with  the  empire  of  the  earth" 

"  The  Jews  were  a  nation;  the  Christians  were  a  sect.  .  .  .  By 
embracing  the  faith  of  the  Gospel  the  Christians  incurred  the  supposed 
guilt  of  an  unnatural  and  unpardonable  offence" 

—  GIBBON. 


"  One  fatal  remembrance,  one  shadow  that  throws 
Its  bleak  shade  alike  o'er  our  joys  and  our  woes  ; 
To  which  life  nothing  darker  nor  brighter  can  bring, 
For  which  joy  hath  no  balm,  and  affliction  no  sting." 

—  MOORE. 

"  Man-like  is  it  to  fall  into  sin, 
Fiend-like  is  it  to  dwell  therein, 
Christ-like  is  it  for  sin  to  grieve, 
God-like  is  it  all  sin  to  leave" 

—  From  the  "  Sinngedichte  "  of  FRIEDRICH  VON  LOGAU, 
Translated  by  LONGFELLOW. 

"  What  shall  1  do  to  live  aright? 
My  life  is  wrong;  I  feel  it  so  : 
I  bear  about  a  muffled  woe, 
I  perish  with  a  nameless  blight  .  .  . 
This  is  my  sorrow  day  and  night  .  .  . 

My  life  is  wrong  !    My  life  is  wrong  ! 
What  shall  I  do  to  make  it  right  ?  " 

—  RICHARD  HENRY  STODDARD. 

"Pilgrim,  burdened  with  thy  sin, 

Come  the  way  to  Zton's  gate  ! 
There,  till  Mercy  let  thee  in, 

Knock,  and  weep,  and  watch,  and  wait! 
Knock  —  he  hears  the  sinner's  cry  ! 

Weep  —  he  heeds  the  mourner's  tear  ! 
Watch — for  saving  grace  is  nigh  ! 

Wait —  till  Heavenly  Love  appear  !  " 

—  "  Sir  Eustace  Grey,"  CRABBK. 

"  For,  though  seduc'd,  and  led  astray, 

Thotfst  travelled  far  and  wander1  d  long, 
Thy  God  hath  seen  thee,  all  the  way, 
And  all  the  turns  that  led  thee  wrong." 

—  "  The  Hall  of  Justice,"  CRABBE. 


Mary    of  Magdala 


ACT  I 


PERSONS    REPRESENTED 

CAIAPHAS.     High  Priest  of  Jerusalem. 

AULUS  FLAVIUS.  A  Roman  nobleman  and  soldier,  nephew  to  PONTIUS 
PILATE,  and  employed,  under  Pilate,  in  the  Roman  consular  service 
at  Jerusalem. 

QUINTUS.     Secretary  to  FLAVIUS. 

HARAN.  A  young  Syrian,  a  native  of  Sidon,  visiting  Jerusalem  as  a 
traveller  and  the  guest  of  CAIAPHAS. 

JOTHAM.     A  profligate  young  Hebrew. 

JOAB.  Son  of  CAIAPHAS,  dedicated  to  the  priesthood,  companion  to 
JOTHAM. 

GAMALIEL.    A  young  priest,  attendant  on  CAIAPHAS. 

JUDAS  OF  KERIOTH.     A  Hebrew  patriot. 

SIMON.    An  old  Hebrew;  a  convert  to  Christianity. 

ENOS.    A  friend  of  SIMON. 

MACRO.    Steward  to  FLAVIUS. 

MARY  OF  MAGDALA. 

RACHEL.    An  elderly  Hebrew  woman,  attendant  on  MARY. 

MIRIAM.  A  young  Hebrew  woman,  at  first  servant  to  FLAVIUS,  after- 
ward to  SIMON. 

A  TORCH-BEARER.    Attendant  on  FLAVIUS. 


Roman  Soldiers,  Hebrew  Priests,  Men  and  Women  of  Jerusalem,  Jews, 
Christians,  Egyptian  Dancing  Girls,  etc. 


PERIOD  OF  THE  DRAMA  :  The  reign  of  the  Roman  Emperor  Tiberius, 
who  was  born  B.C.  42  and  died  A.D.  37  —  reigning  from  A.D.  14  to 
A.D.  37.  The  scene  of  the  play  is  Jerusalem. 


12 


ACT  I 

TIME:  Evening 

SCENE:   A   room   in   the   house  of   MARY  OF 
MAGDALA,  at  Jerusalem 

The  room  should  be  spacious  and  handsome.  A  wide  door- 
way at  back,  draped  and  partly  covered  with  a  rich, 
heavy  curtain.  A  dimly  lighted  anteroom,  visible  through 
this  doorway,  with  a  door,  C.,  opening  to  the  street.  A 
door  L.  and  a  door  R.  Down  at  L.,  a  couch.  Op- 
posite, at  R.,  a  low  table  and  a  cushioned  seat.  On 
table  a  jug  of  wine,  several  wine-cups,  and  a  dish  con- 
taining oranges,  dates,  and  figs.  Several  low  seats, 
placed  against  the  walls.  Three  lamps,  each  on  a  ped- 
estal. RACHEL  is  discovered. 

Enter  MARY,  L. 

MARY 
Another  day,  and  yet  no  word  of  him. 

RACHEL 

I  ever  thought  that  he  would  bring  you  grief. 

Once  you  were  gay,  and  this  house  rang  with  music : 

The  proudest  of  Jerusalem  came  here, 

And  he  that  gain'd  your  smile  was  crown'd  a  prince : 

Then  came  dark  Judas  —  and  all  this  was  chang'd. 

MARY 
No  one  has  seen  him ;  no  one  hears  of  him. 


14  MARY  OF  MA  CD  ALA 

RACHEL 

He  might  have  sent  some  token  of  remembrance : 
He  would  have  done  so,  had  his  heart  been  true. 

MARY 

Perhaps  he  thinks  such  love  as  mine  is  humble. 
He  will  be  wiser,  should  we  meet  again. 
He  has  been  lifted  high ;  the  worse  his  fall. 

RACHEL 

Not  fair  to  see,  and  neither  kind  nor  merry ! 
And  yet  for  him  the  doors  are  closed  to  all,  — 
Even  to  your  oldest  friends. 

MARY 

Base  flatterers ! 

Friends  ?     I  am  weary  of  their  foolish  faces, 
Their  scented  robes,  their  empty  compliments, 
Their  idle  chatter  and  their  hollow  vows. 
Judas,  I  know,  was  passionate  and  rough ; 
There  was  in  him  the  spirit  of  a  man : 
He  loved  me  —  or,  at  least,  he  made  me  think  so. 

RACHEL 
Boasters  are  ever  liberal  with  words. 

MARY 

He  did  not  boast ;  he  did  not  cringe  and  flatter. 
His  soul  with  hatred  burned  against  the  Roman. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  15 

Haughty  and  harsh  he  was  —  a  man  of  pride : 
That  I  could  pardon.     But  all  this  must  cease. 
This  my  last  folly !     I'll  be  no  man's  dupe. 
Fool  that  I  was,  to  dream  of  faithful  love, 
Or  think  a  lover  could  be  true  to  me ! 

\_Knocking  at  door  of 'anteroom .] 

RACHEL 
Perhaps  he  comes  at  last. 

MARY 

I  will  not  see  him. 
No  one  shall  enter.     Bar  the  door  to  all. 

[RACHEL  goes  hastily  into  anteroom.  The  door  is 
thrown  open,  and  enter,  hurriedly,  JOTHAM,  JOAB, 
and  HARAN.  JOTHAM  is  boisterous  with  drink; 
JOAB,  foolishly  tipsy;  HARAN,  sober.  They  rudely 
thrust  RACHEL  aside  and  come  forward,  leaving  the 
door  open.~\ 

JOTHAM 
{To  RACHEL.] 

Night-owl,  begone !     We  seek  the  nightingale. 
Where  is  thy  beauteous  mistress  ?    Where  our  queen  ? 

RACHEL 

[  Opposing  him.~] 

This  is  no  wine-shop.     Brawlers  come  not  here. 
[JOTHAM  passes  RACHEL  and  approaches  MARY.] 


1 6  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

JOTHAM 

Hail,  Star  of  Magdala !     Are  friends  forgotten  ? 
And  old  friends,  too  ?     Do  you  not  know  me,  Mary  ? 

MARY 

I  know  you  well :  Jotham,  the  infamous,  — 
Whom  no  man  trusteth  but  to  be  betrayed, 
Nor  woman  neither.     Nothing  is  forgot 

JOTHAM 
[  With  ribald  laughter.] 

No  man  forgets  Mary  of  Magdala ! 
Night  after  night,  tossing  in  fevered  sleep, 
I  see  her  image,  fair  and  terrible ! 
Princess  of  Israel,  I  am  shrunk  with  pining. 
By  Zion's  light,  I  had  not  dared  to  come  — 

MARY 
[Interrupting  him.'] 

Out  of  my  sight,  and  never  let  me  see 
Thy  hateful  face  again ! 

HARAN 

Fair  lady,  pardon  — 

JOTHAM 

I  say  I  had  not  dared  to  brave  thy  wrath, 
But  for  this  friend  of  ours,  this  traveller, 
Come  from  afar  to  see  thee. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  I? 

HARAN 

And  who  hopes 
To  win,  at  least,  forgiveness  of  intrusion. 

MARY 
This  is  my  house,  and  I  command  you,  leave  it ! 

JOTHAM 
[Sitting  on  couch] 

Did  I  not  say  so,  Haran  ?     Fair  as  Esther, 
And  proud  as  Sheba's  queen,  is  our  sweet  Mary ! 
How  like  you  beauty  rampant  in  a  storm  ? 
Behold  her  wrath  is  a  consuming  fire,  — 
But  only  such  a  one  as  kisses  quench. 

\To  JOAB,  who  has  come  to  the  table  and  has  seized  a 
wine-cup] 

Let  it  alone !     Thou  hast  thy  fill  already. 
That  cup,  O  Joab,  is  not  set  for  thee, 
But  for  some  better  man,  more  fortunate, 
Than  is  the  son  of  Israel's  High  Priest. 

JOAB 

\At  table,  with  drunken  gravity.] 

Israel  is  an  empty  vine,  saith  the  prophet  Hosea. 
Yea,  verily ;  yet  her  grapes  are  sweet,  saith  Joab,  the 
son  of  Caiaphas. 

[JOAB  potirs  wine  and  drinks  it.~\ 


1 8  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

JOTHAM 

Heed  him  not,  Mary !     One  more  draught  like  that, 
And  this  young  cub  will  lull  himself  to  sleep. 
But,  for  this  noble  stranger  — 

HARAN 
[Interrupting] 

Hush,  good  friend ! 
Let  us  withdraw :  we  are  not  welcome  here. 

JOTHAM 
[Rising.] 

Gaze  on  him,  Mary.     Sidon  is  his  home ; 
Friend  of  the  High  Priest  of  Jerusalem ; 
Learn'd  in  the  Law  and  sapient  in  counsel ; 
Possessing  vineyards,  olive  trees,  and  ships. 
To-night  he  boasted  of  the  Sidon  women, 
Whom  he  declared  the  loveliest  of  the  earth. 
Then  said  I  unto  him,  '  Thou  knowest  nothing : 
Thou  hast  not  seen  the  Star  of  Magdala ! 
Thou  shalt  behold  a  wonder !     I  will  show  her.' 

JOAB 

[Incoherently] 

Let  none  deal  treacher  —  reacher — ously  against 
the  wife  of  his  youth  —  saith  —  saith  —  the  prophet 
Malachi — saith  Mary  of  Magdala — [To  HARAN]  say 
thou  what  she  is,  thou  golden  ass  of  Sidon  —  thou 
sober  sot ! 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  19 

HARAN 
[Anxiously.] 

We  will  depart.     I  humbly  crave  your  pardon, 
That  in  such  company  I  have  intruded. 

MARY 

You  are  a  stranger,  sir,  and  not  to  blame : 

But  go  with  them,  if  you  would  have  my  pardon. 

JOTHAM 

Banish  not  Fortune,  Mary !  Drive  not  forth 
This  Prince  of  Sidon,  bearing  sacks  of  gold ! 
For  every  kiss  of  thine  he  would  give  pearls ! 

MARY 
Peace,  ribald  wretch  !     Shameless  and  infamous ! 

JOAB 
[Maudlin.] 

We  have  not  hearkened  to  his  voice,  neither  have 
we  walked  in  his  paw — law  —  saith  Hab — hab — bek 
—  buk  —  bak  —  saith  Zephaniah  —  and  the  house  of 
Jacob  shall  be  a  fire,  saith  the  prophet  Obadiah  — 
yet  have  mercy  on  thy  servant,  for  he  is  sore  —  very 

sore  —  afflicted. 

[JOAB  falls.] 

MARY 

This  is  an  outrage.     [  To  RACHEL]  Rouse  the  neigh- 
borhood ! 
Call  in  the  watch  ! 

[RACHEL  goes  to  door  in  anteroom .] 


20  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

HARAN 
Come,  Jotham,  come  away ! 

JOTHAM 

We  are  departing,  Mary.     Fare  thee  well. 
Our  hearts  are  broken,  but  we'll  keep  our  heads. 
But  —  one  cup,  fairest !     [He  goes  to  table,  pours  wine 
into  cup,  and  drinks. .]     Just  a  parting  pledge ! 

[To  JOAB,  who  is  prostrate^ 

Child  of  the  Prophet,  dost  thou  hug  the  earth  ? 
Watchman  of  Zion,  art  thou  weary  grown  ? 
Up,  slothful  saint !     Up,  pious  sluggard  !     Up ! 

JOAB 
Turn  me  not  about ;  I  would  be  peaceful. 

HARAN 

Help  me  to  raise  him,  Jotham  !     Let's  begone  i 
[HARAN  and  JOTHAM  assist  JOAB  to  rise.] 

RACHEL 
[At  door.] 
Watch!   Watch!    Help!    Help! 

[FLAVIUS,  attended  by  a  Torch-bearer  with  a  lighted 
torch,  appears  in  open  doorway.] 

FLAVIUS 

Who  calls  so  loud  for  help  ? 

In  your  own  house,  who  is  it  that   affrights   you? 
[To  MARY.] 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  21 

MARY 

\_Pointing  to  JOTHAM  and  his  companions^ 
We  do  not  fear  the  thing  that  we  despise. 

FLAVIUS 
[  Contemptuously^ 
And  who  are  these  —  bold  warriors  with  a  woman? 

JOTHAM 

And  who  are  you  ?     A  Roman,  by  your  dress  : 
But  here  your  privilege  will  avail  you  nothing. 
You  can  command  us  in  the  public  streets, 
Not  in  our  homes  :  we  still  are  masters  there. 

FLAVIUS 
\Drawing  his  sword.~\ 

Your  homes  ?     Your  proper  home  is  in  some  kennel. 

This  is  the  house  of  Mary  of  Magdala : 

Leave  it  —  or  else  my  sword  shall  drive  you  from  it ! 

HARAN 
We  have  no  right  here,  Jotham ;  we  must  yield. 

JOTHAM 

He  draws  his  sword  on  men  that  have  no  weapons : 
A  valiant  champion,  truly  ! 

FLAVIUS 

Sots  and  ruffians ! 
The  flat  of  the  blade  would  do  you  too  much  honor. 


22  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

JOAB 


I  warn  thee,  honest  soldier,  have  a  care.  I  am 
Joab,  son  of  Caiaphas,  the  mighty  —  my  father  is  the 
High  Priest  —  what  saith  the  prophet  Zechariah  — 
deal  gently  —  be  not  like  your  fathers  —  but  turn  to 
—  to  me  —  sweetest  of  Marys  — 

[JOAB  totters,  but  is  supported  by  HARAN.] 

HARAN 
Help  me  to  lead  him,  Jotham. 

JOTHAM 

\To  FLAVIUS.] 
Curse  upon  thee  ! 

[  JOTHAM  and  HARAN  assist  JOAB,  and  the  three  go 
toward  door  in  anteroom,  where  they  pause.~\ 

And  thou,  fair  serpent,  virtuous  hypocrite, 
\To  MARY,  with  menace.  ,] 

Scorning  thy  friends,  to  wile  a  Roman  foe  — 
Thou  shalt  not  be  forgotten. 

FLAVIUS 

And  bear  me  also  in  thy  memory. 
He  that  hath  scorn'd,  this  night,  to  shed  thy  blood, 
Is  Aulus  Flavius,  nephew  to  Pontius  Pilate, 
The  Procurator  of  Jerusalem. 


MARY  OF  MA  CD  ALA  2$ 

JOTHAM 
\_Impudently  ^\ 
Tell  him  he  hath  great  Caesar  for  a  nephew. 

[Exeunt  JOTHAM,  JOAB,  and  HARAN. 

[During  the  ensuing  colloquy  between  MARY  and  FLA- 
vius,  the  Torch-bearer,  attendant  on  FLAVIUS,  is  seen, 
at  intervals,  pacing  to  and  fro  in  the  street,  in  front  of 
the  open  door^\ 

MARY 

I  thank  you,  Aulus  Flavius,  for  your  help.  — 
Rachel,  bring  wine,  and  take  away  these  cups. 

[MARY  sits.     RACHEL  takes  the  cups  that  have  been  used, 
and  goes  out,  Z.j 

FLAVIUS 

Tis  I  who  should  be  thankful  for  this  hour, — 
Blessing  the  gods  that  Aulus  Flavius 
Hath  been  of  service,  howsoever  humble, 
To  one  so  gracious  and  so  beautiful. 

[RACHEL  enters,  L.,  while  FLAVIUS  is  speaking,  and  places 
wine-cups  and  a  flagon  of  wine  on  the  table.  She  Jills 
a  cup  and  brings  it  to  FLAVIUS.  He  takes  it  and  drinks. 

Loveliest  of  all  the  daughters  of  thy  race ! 

[  Gives  the  cup  to  RACHEL,  who  places  it  on  the  table,  and 
then,  at  a  sign  of  dismissal  from  MARY,  goes  out,  L.~\ 


24  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

MARY 

Again  I  thank  you,  Roman  ;  but  with  this 
My  hospitality  must  end.     No  Roman 
Is  welcome  here. 

FLAVIUS 

I  know  it ;  I  have  known  it  many  a  day ; 
And  if  you  bid  me  go,  I  will  depart. 

MARY 
[  With  a  sudden  interest."} 

How  do  you  know  it? 

FLAVIUS 

Easily  enough. — 

Against  my  will,  and  with  a  heavy  heart, 
I  left  my  friends  in  Rome,  —  my  gay  companions, 
My  free  and  joyous  life,  so  full  of  pleasure,  — 
And  hither  came,  to  bleak  Jerusalem. 
My  uncle,  Pilate,  procurator  here, 
Wished  me  to  serve  the  realm,  beneath  his  eye, 
And,  since  I  am  his  heir,  I  heed  his  wish. 
The  change  was  bitter.     In  Jerusalem 
I  found  strange  people,  dark  and  hostile  looks, 
Stern  duties,  and  a  weary  weight  of  care. — 
But  —  I  forget  —  this  land  is  yours  — you  love  it : 
Let  me  not  speak  one  word  to  give  offence. 

MARY 

You  might  have  seen,  Mary  of  Magdala 
Loves  not  all  things  around  her,  even  though 
This  be  her  home —  \bitterly\  if  any  home  be  hers. 


MARY  OF  MAG  DA  LA  2$ 

FLAVIUS 

I  say  I  found  a  sombre  people  here, 
And  worship  of  a  hidden  Deity 
That  frowns  on  Rome  and  all  the  Roman  gods ; 
And  I  grew  sad  and  grim,  like  all  around  me. 
One  twilight  hour,  walking  in  these  dull  streets, 
I  saw  a  woman  —  glorious  —  like  no  other 
That  ever  in  the  world  these  eyes  had  seen ! 
Hebe  in  grace !     Juno  in  majesty  ! 
Venus  herself  were  not  so  beautiful. 

MARY 
Are  there  such  women,  then,  in  Israel  ? 

FLAVIUS 

The  stately  figure  moved,  in  loveliness ; 
Her  rich  hair  floated  carelessly,  in  curls, 
From  under  a  light  veil ;  her  dark,  proud  eyes 
Looked  calmly  onward,  with  a  steadfast  gaze 
That  seemed  to  make  a  radiance  all  around  her. 
Her  lips  were  firmly  closed,  like  one  in  thought. 
She  saw  not  anything  —  nor  man,  nor  woman  — 
Though  many  turned  to  view  her,  as  she  passed,  — 
Men,  with  delight ;  women  with  furtive  scorn. 
And  so  she  met  me,  passed  me,  and  was  gone. 
My  eyes  were  dazzled  and  my  heart  stood  still. 
When  I  could  speak,  I  sought  to  know  her  name. 

MARY 
And  then  you  heard  — 


26  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

FLAVIUS 

I  heard  the  name  of  Mary  — 
Mary  of  Magdala :  and  then  I  heard  —  \_He  pauses.~\ 

MARY 

Why  are  you  silent  ?     Nothing  said  of  me 

Remains  to  me  unknown.  .  .  .  And  then  you  heard  ? 

FLAVIUS 

Words  that  were  flippant ;  words  that  anger'd  me. 
I'll  not  repeat  them.  —  Something  of  the  past ; 
More  of  the  present.     All  thy  life,  it  seems, 
Is  given  up  to  luxury  and  pleasure. 
Thou  hast  had  many  suitors.     All  thy  nights 
Fleet  by  with  wine  and  music. 

MARY 

Even  so.  — 
Did  any  tell  you  that  I  loved  again  ? 

FLAVIUS 

Thy  proud  eyes  tell  me  now  —  and  tell  me  much : 
And  surely  thou  canst  understand  the  passion 
That  ever  since  has  flamed  within  my  heart. 
Twice  have  I  sought  thy  door,  twice  been  repulsed. 

MARY 

'Tis  known  I  have  no  friendship  for  the  Romans, 
The  cruel  tyrants  that  enslave  my  people. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  2? 

FLAVIUS 

And  yet  it  well  might  please  Judea's  daughter 
To  make  a  slave  of  one  of  those  same  tyrants. 

MARY 

That  I  might  do  to  him  as  Jael  did  — 
The  wife  of  Heber  —  unto  Sisera  ? 

FLAVIUS 
And  what  did  Jael  ? 

MARY 

As  he  lay  in  slumber 

She  took  a  nail  and  drove  it  in  his  temples,  — 
So  that  he  died. 

FLAVIUS 

By  Jupiter,  'tis  well 

Your  doors  were  closed  to  me  !     But,  tell  me,  lady, 
Are  deeds  like  that  commended  in  your  creed  ? 
I'll  not  believe  it  —  though,  indeed,  I've  heard 
Your  Deity  is  one  of  wrath  and  vengeance. 

MARY 

I  do  not  any  longer  seek  the  Temple  — 

For  they  would  cast  me  out,  —  sinner  and  wanton ! 

She  must  not  look  for  pardon.     There's  no  hope 

For  her  that  once  hath  sinned.    "  An  eye  for  an  eye  !  " 

Yet,  if  my  heart  be  hardened,  'tis  the  lust 

And  craft  of  man  have  made  me  what  I  am. 


28  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

FLAVIUS 

And  hast  thou  then  been  wronged,  and  hast  thou 
suffered  ? 

MARY 

I  know  not  why  I  should  confide  in  you, 

A  Roman  and  a  stranger.     But,  I'm  sad, 

And  something  tells  me  there's  a  change  at  hand, 

And  you,  I  think,  are  mingled  with  my  fate. 

Wrong  was  my  portion,  even  from  my  childhood, 

And  grief  has  walked  with  me  for  many  a  day. 

When  I  was  scarce  sixteen  my  parents  sold  me,  — 

Sold  me,  in  marriage,  to  a  profligate, 

A  creature  old  in  years,  older  in  vice, 

Evil  in  all  things,  bestial  and  corrupt ; 

But  he  had  wealth,  and  wealth,  with  them,  was  all ! 

Vainly  I  supplicated,  vainly  wept,  — 

Saying  "  I'll  be  a  servant,"  "  I  will  beg," 

"  But  sell  me  not  to  slavery  and  shame." 

FLAVIUS 
Thy  lot  was  hard  indeed.     What  then  befell  ? 

MARY 

Three  years  I  bore  it,  loathing  life  itself. 
Then  I  could  bear  no  more.     I  found  a  friend 
Who  had  compassion  on  my  misery. 
We  fled  by  night,  here,  to  Jerusalem. 
With  him  I  lived,  concealed  —  until,  at  last  — 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  29 

FLAVIUS 
He  died  ?     And  you  were  friendless  ? 

MARY 

Worse  than  that ! 

When  he  had  spent  the  money  that  I  brought, 
He  left  me,  helpless  and  in  poverty. 
Then  first  I  learned  the  wisdom  of  our  King  — 
That  everything  on  earth  is  vanity. 
The  tenderness  of  parents  for  their  children,  — 
That  which  they  call  the  holiest  of  feelings,  — 
The  love  of  man  for  woman,  — which  they  call 
The  mightiest,  — 

They  are  as  stubble  in  a  raging  flame, 
When  set  against  the  lust  and  treachery 
Of  miserable  man ! 

One  thing  alone  is  real,  that  I  have  found,  — 
Even  because  the  lightest  of  all  things, 
The  frailest  and  the  first  to  pass  away. 
And  yet  'tis  potent  to  renew  itself, 
Even  as  it  dies. 

FLAVIUS 
The  truest  thing,  because  the  most  untrue  ? 

MARY 
{With  bitter  levity^ 

Pleasure  !     Unthinking  and  unheeding  pleasure  ! 
Careless,  free-hearted  mirth,  that  lives  to-day, 
And  takes  no  heed  of  any  day  but  this  ! 


30  MARY  OF  MA  CD  ALA 

The  reckless  will  to  seize  the  instant  joy; 
Only  to  feed  the  hunger  of  our  senses ; 
Only  to  revel  in  the  bliss  of  youth. 

FLAVIUS 

And  thou  art  right  —  for  love  is  happiness, 
And  happiness  knows  nothing  but  itself. 

MARY 
\With  bitterness^ 

What  word  is  that  ?     I've  thought  of  happiness. 
It  would  be  freedom  from  these  wild  desires, 
This  strife  between  the  senses  and  the  soul, 
This  self-contempt,  this  sinking  at  the  heart 
With  secret  dread.     It  would  be  rest  and  peace. 
Such  blessed  comfort  never  will  be  mine : 
Frenzy  of  mirth  is  all  that's  left  for  me. 
Nothing  in  life  is  sacred,  nothing  true. 

FLAVIUS 

But  is  there  no  relief  in  friendship,  Mary  ? 
And  hast  thou  never  had  even  one  true  friend  ? 

MARY 

One  friend  I  had,  and  him  I  dearly  prized. 
'Twas  not  a  common  pleasure  that  he  craved. 
His  mind  was  full  of  high  and  noble  thoughts. 
Ay !  and  he  hated  Romans,  and  had  died 
Sooner  than  bend  the  knee,  even  to  Caesar ! 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  31 

For  him  I  closed  my  doors  against  the  world : 
For  him  I  gave  up  all.     He  did  not  care. 
He,  too,  has  left  me.     I  can  answer  you : 
Friendship  is  also  vain. 

FLAVIUS 

Then  take  my  counsel  and  turn  back  to  love! 
From  the  first  moment  when  I  saw  thy  face 
My  heart  has  worshipped  thee. 
Thou  hast  not  learned  yet  how  a  Roman  loves : 
Learn  it  of  me. 

MARY 

[FLAVIUS  rises."] 
Never ! 

No  fellowship  can  any  Roman  have 
With  Mary  of  Magdala !  .  .  .     Thou  hast  been  kind, 
And  something  in  thee  —  in  thy  face  or  voice  — 
Hath  made  me  trust  thee.  .  .  . 
Now  go  thy  ways, 
And  all  the  goodness  of  thy  gods  go  with  thee ! 

[JuDAS  appears  in  the  doorway  at  the  back,  C.,  -visible  in 
the  light  of  the  torch.  He  pauses  for  a  moment  and 
looks  into  the  room;  then  he  enters  and  comes  quickly 
forward^ 

JUDAS 
\To  MARY.] 
A  Roman  in  this  house !     Hast  thou  forgotten  ? 


32  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 


MARY 


Why  should  I  not  forget  ?     Thou  hast  given  me  time. 

FLAVIUS 
[Satirically.'} 

Is  this,  then,  lady,  thy  heroic  friend, 

Whose  haughty  spirit  bends  not  to  the  Caesar  ? 

\ 
JUDAS 

Insolent  Roman  !     Leave  this  house  at  once, 
Or  — 

FLAVIUS 

[  Contemptuously  regarding  JUDAS.] 
Am  I  then  in  present  peril,  sir  ? 

JUDAS 

Thou  hast  a  sword,  and  I  am  weaponless  ; 

But  what  of  that  ?     These  hands  shall  conquer  thee. 

FLAVIUS 

Judas  of  Kerioth  —  not  Maccabaeus  ! 
Thou  art  no  conqueror,  Judas. 

[JUDAS  rushes  toward  FLAVIUS.      MARY  quickly  inter- 
poses^ 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  33 

MARY 

Peace !  I  command  you !  Let  there  be  no  brawling 
In  my  abode !  .  .  .  Judas,  this  brave  young  soldier 
Stood  between  me  and  insult  —  and  I  thank  him. 

{To  FLAVIUS.] 
How  dost  thou  know  him,  Flavius  ? 

FLAVIUS 

I  seem  to  know  him  somewhat  better,  lady, 

Even  than  thou  dost,  —  calling  him  thy  friend. 

Near  to  my  dwelling  lives  an  honest  Jew, 

Named  Simon,  and  his  garden,  next  to  mine, 

Is  parted  only  by  a  narrow  lane. 

Walking  among  my  roses,  I  can  see  him, 

With  his  companions.     Common  men,  they  seem  — 

Men  with  coarse  garments ;  one  of  them  a  preacher,  — 

But  him  they  honor,  as  he  were  a  prince. 

I  have  been  told  he  comes  from  Galilee. 

One  of  my  menials,  following  in  his  train, 

Hath  told  me  this.     Another  of  his  people, 

A  man  of  dark  and  lowering  countenance,  — 

A  falcon  among  doves,  —  she  says,  is  Judas, 

Judas  of  Kerioth. 

MARY 

Here  —  all  this  time  — 
Here,  in  the  city,  and  hath  kept  himself 
Concealed  from  me. 

[JUDAS  turns  away,  disturbed,  but  sullen  and  defiant^\ 
c 


34  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

FLAVIUS 

This  is  no  hawk  :  this  fowl  is  of  the  barnyard. 
Of  those  tame  followers  Judas  is  the  tamest. 
He  was  a  money-changer,  at  the  Temple ; 
One  day  this  preacher,  out  of  Galilee, 
Came,  with  a  whip,  and  set  upon  the  hucksters, 
And  scourged  them  from  the  Temple  to  the  street. 
Then  was  the  stall  of  Judas  overturned, 
And  all  his  silver  scattered  on  the  ground, 
Where  beggars  scrambled  for  it. 

MARY 
{To  JUDAS.] 

Is  this  true  ? 
FLAVIUS 

Your  doughty  friend  is  little  like  to  tell 

How  meekly  he  endured  this  ignominy ; 

How  at  the  heels  of  his  despoiler 

He  slunk  and  cowered,  following,  like  a  dog, 

The  man  who  beat  and  robb'd  him.     Do  you  marvel 

That  I  despise  his  threats,  and  will  not  go, 

At  any  bidding,  from  this  place,  but  thine  ? 

MARY 

{To  FLAVIUS.] 
And  now,  once  more,  Flavius,  I  bid  thee  go.  — 

{To  JUDAS.] 
Thou  hearest,  Judas,  what  is  said  of  thee. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  35 

FLAVIUS 
[As  he  goes  toward  door,  C.~] 

Remember,  Mary,  all  that  I  have  said. 

The  heart  of  Flavius  is  not  one  that  changes. 

As  to  this  Judas, — 

If  thou  would'st  see  the  preacher  and  his  clan, 

Visit  my  dwelling.     Any  time  be  thine. 

Come  when  thou  wilt.    Thou  shalt  behold  the  brethren, 

And  meek  and  lowly  Judas  in  among  them ; 

And  every  honor  shall  attend  upon  thee. 

And  so,  Farewell ! 

\_Exit  FLAVIUS,  through  door  at  back,  meeting  his  Torch- 
bearer,  who  attends  him.  After  they  have  vanished, 
enter  RACHEL,  L.  She  goes  to  door  at  back,  and  closes 
it.  Then  she  glances  at  MARY  and  JUDAS,  and  goes 
out,  L.  MARY  sits  on  couch,  R.  JUDAS  looks  around 
uneasily,  glancing  at  MARY.  Pause.  The  scene 
slightly  darkens.  Low  and  solemn  music,  at  distance  ~\ 

JUDAS 

Why  dost  thou  bend  thy  looks  upon  the  ground  ? 
Is  this  thy  greeting,  Mary,  to  thy  lover  ? 

MARY 

It  always  was  my  habit  to  look  up, 

Whene'er  I  looked  on  Judas.     Now,  degraded, 

I  must  look  for  him  in  the  dust. 


36  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

JUDAS 

Degraded  ? 

Is  it  disgrace  to  tend  upon  a  hero  ? 

Had  you  but  seen  his  face,  when  he  despoil'd  me, 

There — at  the  Temple  gate — you  would  have  known, 

Have  comprehended,  all ! 

So  looks  the  hunter,  striking  down  the  lion ! 

I  had  no  will,  except  to  follow  him ; 

To  leave  my  home,  my  calling,  even  you, 

My  best  beloved ! 

His  eyes  compelled  me  and  his  power  subdued ; 

His  glory  shrivelled  all  my  spirit  up, 

And  changed  me  in  an  instant :  what  I  was 

Became  as  nothing,  underneath  the  glance 

That  made  me  what  I  am  —  his  worshipper ! 

MARY 
Why  not  have  told  me,  Judas  ? 

JUDAS 
\_Moodily  ^\ 

All  is  not  clear  :  a  cloud  is  on  my  mind. 
Those  gentle  souls,  those  humble  followers, 
Are  not  like  me  !     No  fire  of  stately  race 
Burns  in  their  veins,  to  think  on  Israel's  fate  — 
Submission,  degradation,  slavery ! 
And  yet  he  heeds  me  even  less  than  them. 
Still  he  delays  to  strike,  and  still  I  rage 
To  lift  our  banner  and  to  save  our  people. 
Am  I  deceived  ?  .  .  .     Idolatry  and  shame, 
Belief  and  doubt  —  they  struggle  in  my  soul, 


MARY   OF  MAG D ALA  37 

And  this  vain  anguish  makes  a  living  hell, 
Where  once  there  was  a  heaven  of  content 
With  love  and  thee. 

MARY 

[Thoughtfully,  half  aside.'] 

I  must  behold  him :  I  must  know  this  man, 
Who  hath  such  power  both  to  bless  and  curse, 

JUDAS 

Be  warned  by  me !     The  radiance  of  thy  beauty 

Would  turn  to  darkness  in  his  heavenly  gaze. 

Woman  is  naught  to  him.     If  thou  should'st  see  him, 

The  blight  of  self -contempt  would  fall  upon  thee ; 

Scorn  of  the  past  and  terror  of  the  future ; 

The  misery  of  infinite  desire, 

Forever  longing  and  forever  baffled. 

Let  us  forget  him,  and  be  happy,  Mary. 

We  are  together,  Mary :  thou  art  fair : 

And  all  my  soul  knows  now  is,  that  I  love  thee. 

MARY 

'Tis  a  long  time  since  thou  hast  thought  of  love : 
A  weary  time  since  thou  hast  turned  to  me. 

JUDAS 

I  have  been  absent  from  Jerusalem, 
Following  the  prophet,  where,  in  many  places, 
He  taught  the  people.     But  I  tell  thee,  Mary, 
In  all  my  wanderings,  still  my  secret  thoughts 
Were  all  of  thee ! 


55451 


38  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

Toiling,  by  day,  along  the  dusty  roads, 

Resting,  by  night,  beneath  the  pitiless  stars, 

Still,  in  despair,  my  heart  has  turned  to  thee, 

With  all  the  longing  passion  of  this  hour. 

Thou,  who  hast  taught  me  what  it  is  to  love 

And  to  be  loved,  — 

Thy  heart  must  surely  tell  thee  what  I  suffer 

When  I  am  parted  from  thee,  and  alone ! 

Whichever  way  I  turn  I  see  thy  face ; 

In  every  wand'ring  wind  I  hear  thy  voice ; 

Thy  kisses  seem  to  burn  upon  my  lips. 

0  Mary,  life  has  been  one  wild  desire 
To  feel  thy  arms  around  me  once  again ! 
And  now,  at  last,  when  I  have  broke  the  chain 
That  bound  me  to  the  prophet ;  now,  at  last, 
When  I  have  sought  thee,  Mary,  nevermore 
To  live  without  thee,  all  thy  love  is  frozen  ! 
But  I  will  melt  this  ice.     Without  thee,  Mary, 

1  cannot  live ! 

MARY 

[Bitterly] 

No  more  of  this  pretence ! 
Hast  thou  once  named  me  to  that  holy  man  ? 
Hast  thou  once  told  him  of  a  friend  of  thine, 
Long  since  cast  out,  despis'd,  condemn'd,  and  scorn'd 
By  all  good  men  and  women  ? 

JUDAS 
[Defiantly] 

Why  should  I  speak  of  thee  ?     Is  he  our  judge  ? 
Why  should  he  know  what  this  night's  veil  will  cover  ? 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  39 

MARY 

His  gaze  might  pierce  the  veil ! 

And  he  might  drive  thee  from  his  presence,  Judas, 

When  he  should  know  — 

JUDAS 
Mary! 

MARY 

Do  not  come  near  me.     Bitter  thoughts  are  mine,  — 
[MARY  rises. ~] 

Seeing  thee  what  thou  art.     My  love  is  dead. 
Obey  thy  Master  !     Go ! .  And  from  this  hour 
Let  Mary  be  forgotten ! 

JUDAS 

I  thought  to  find  my  refuge  in  those  arms.  — 
What  hath  so  changed  thee  ? 

MARY 
Our  thoughts  range  far,  and  turn  with  every  breeze. 

JUDAS 

So  be  it ;  I  will  go  :  but  I  remember ! 
Thy  heart  was  mine  ?     Thou  hast  no  other  hope. 
And  one  day  thou  wilt  turn  again  to  me, 
Seeking  the  love  that  thou  dost  banish  now. 

[/for// JUDAS,  rapidly,  C.    Pause.    Silence.    MARY  stands, 
absorbed  in  thought^ 


40  MARY  OF  M AGO  ALA 

MARY 

Rachel ! 

[Enter  RACHEL,  Z.] 

To-morrow  go,  inquire,  and  bring  me  word 
Where  dwells  this  Roman  who  was  here  but  now. 

RACHEL 

The  Roman,  Flavius !     Lady,  can  it  be 
That  you  will  visit  him  ? 

[Pause.     MARY  makes  no  answer,  but  stands  motionless. 
RACHEL  goes  out,  L.    Pause  J] 

MARY 
\_Scornfully  repeating  the  words  of  JUDAS.] 

'  His  eyes  compelled  me  and  his  power  subdued ; 

His  glory  shrivelled  all  my  spirit  up, 

And  changed  me  in  an  instant :  what  I  was 

Became  as  nothing,  underneath  the  glance 

That  made  me  what  I  am  —  his  worshipper ! '  .  .  . 

I  must  behold  this  man  of  mystery. 

CURTAIN. 


ACT  II 


ACT    II 

SCENE  :  A  room  in  the  house  of  FLAVIUS 

At  back  a  wide  arcade,  through  which  a  spacious  garden  is 
visible.  The  trees  and  shrubbery  must  be  Oriental,  — 
palms,  olives,  figs,  cypress,  etc.  Platform  at  base  of 
arcade,  accessible  by  steps.  Roman  furniture,  stately 
but  simple.  A  bust  of  Augustus  Ccesar,  R.,  and  a  bust 
of  Tiberius,  L.,  each  on  a  column.  Door  L.  and  door 
R.,  each  draped  with  a  curtain.  Down  stage,  R.,  a 
table,  on  which  are  parchment  scrolls  and  other  writing 
materials  ;  also  the  sword  of  FLAVIUS.  Chair  at  table. 
Several  other  chairs,  conveniently  disposed.  FLAVIUS 
and  QUINTUS  are  discovered.  QUINTUS  is  seated  at  table, 
writing.  FLAVIUS  is  pacing  the  floor  and  dictating  letter. 

FLAVIUS 
\_DictatingI\ 

Thou  knowest,  my  Fulvia,  that  I  honor  each  wish 
of  thine  as  a  celestial  command ;  but  how  am  I  to 
write  merry  letters  when  my  soul  is  in  gloom  ?  I 
must  play  the  hypocrite,  singing  glad  songs,  with  a 
heart  full  of  sorrow.  Rather  let  my  songs  be  mourn- 
ful, like  those  poor  Ovid,  in  his  banishment,  sent  back 
to  Rome,  for  then  they  will  tell  the  truth.  Much  of 
my  occupation  is  to  write  the  letters  that  my  uncle, 
Pontius  Pilate,  sends  to  Caesar.  As  for  the  women, 
of  whom  thou  art  curious,  I  have  seen  but  one  that 

43 


44  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

Fulvia  might  deign  to  heed.  Yet  be  not  jealous,  for 
she,  like  all  the  women  of  Jerusalem,  is  scornful  of 
the  Romans. 

\_Enter,  Z.,  MACRO.] 
Speak,  fellow ! 

MACRO 

Thy  servant,  Miriam,  the  Hebrew  woman, 
Would  beg  of  thee. 

FLAVIUS 
Admit  her. 

\Exit  MACRO,  Z.     QUINTUS  gives  scroll  to  FLAVIUS.] 
'  Thy  faithful  Aulus.' 

[  Glancing  at  scroll.'] 
Ay,  that  will  do. 

[Fas fens  the  scroll.     Enter  MIRIAM,  Z.] 

Give  this  to  Sextus.     Let  it  go  to  Rome, 
By  the  first  messenger. 

[QUINTUS  takes  the  scroll  and  goes  out,  L.  MIRIAM 
kneels  before  FLAVIUS  and  tries  to  carry  the  hem  of  his 
toga  to  her  lips."} 

FLAVIUS 
Rise,  Miriam.     What  would  you  ask  of  me  ? 

MIRIAM 

Heaven  grant  thee  many  years ! 
Thou  art  just  and  kind. 

[She  rises."] 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  45 

FLAVIUS 
What  hast  thou  to  complain  of,  in  my  service  ? 

MIRIAM 

Far  be  it  from  me  ever  to  complain. 

Thou  art  most  kind.     Thy  servants  do  not  mock  me, 

Even  when  I  leave  their  table,  as  commanded 

By  Israel's  law.     Yet  do  I  beg  of  thee 

To  be  released  from  service. 

FLAVIUS 

And  hast  thou  found  a  better  service,  Miriam  ? 
More  richly  paid  ?     Speak  freely.     I'll  not  hold  thee, 
At  any  disadvantage. 

MIRIAM 

The  holy  man,  the  Nazarene,  who  comes 

To  teach  the  people,  in  thy  neighbor's  garden  — 

FLAVIUS 

Well,  what  of  him  ? 
Hath  he  a  service  for  thee  ? 

MIRIAM 

Often  thou  hast  permitted  me  to  hear  him. 

They  say  he  will  be  king  in  Israel, 

Blessing  the  poor  and  making  all  men  happy. 

I  do  not  understand  —  but,  'tis  new  life 

To  hear  his  voice  and  to  see  his  face. 

And  now  he  has  done  so  great  a  thing  for  me,  — 

So  wonderful  — 


46  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

FLAVIUS 

Be  brief.     Speak  on,  and  plainly. 

MIRIAM 

I  have  a  son.     Sickly  he  was,  from  birth ; 
Walking  with  crutches.     Yesterday  the  prophet 
Laid  hands  upon  him,  saying,  '  Rise  and  walk ; ' 
And  in  that  very  moment  was  he  healed, 
Throwing  away  his  crutches. 
And  he  rushed  hither,  wild  with  joy,  to  tell  me. 

FLAVIUS 
[Playfully.] 

Good  tidings !    And  a  wondrous  cure,  indeed !  — 
But  what  dost  thou  desire  for  thyself  ? 

MIRIAM 
[Kneeling] 

To  leave  all  worldly  service,  for  his  sake ! 
By  day  and  night  to  serve  but  only  him. 
That  is  my  prayer. 

FLAVIUS 
Thy  prayer  is  granted ;  thou  art  free  to  go. 

MIRIAM 

{Rising] 

Blessing  upon  thee ! 

Morning  and  evening  shall  the  prayers  of  Miriam 
Be  said,  for  her  kind  lord. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  47 

FLAVIUS 

So  fare  thee  well. 
Quintus  shall  give  thee  money. 

\_Exit  MIRIAM,  Z.] 

FLAVIUS 
\_Alone.     Playfully^ 

Now  might  I  cousel  my  grim  uncle,  Pilate, 

To  seek,  from  this  same  wonder-working  prophet, 

The  healing  of  his  gout. 

[Enter  MACRO,  Z.] 
Well :  who  comes  now  ? 

MACRO 
A  lady,  sir,  who  says  she  is  expected. 

FLAVIUS 
Bid  her  enter. 

\Exit  MACRO,  Z.] 

Mary  of  Magdala ! 

[Facetiously.] 

O,  curiosity ! 

Thou  first  and  ever  fatal  conqueror, 

That  women  ne'er  resisted  ! 

\Enter  MARY,  Z.,  gorgeously  attired.  She  is  ushered 
by  QUINTUS,  and  is  attended  by  RACHEL  and  followed  by 
several  female  slaves.  FLAVIUS  advances  /<?z£/ar//MARY.] 

I  am  more  honored  than  all  words  could  say. 


48  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

MARY 

I  come  to  see  the  wonder-working  prophet. 
Perhaps  my  coming  is  inopportune ; 
But,  curiosity  is  woman's  plague, 
And  —  thou  wert  gracious. 

[  Crosses  R.~\ 

FLAVIUS 

Pray  be  seated,  lady. 

The  people  have  not  come  to  Simon's  garden. 
Tis  early  yet. 

[RACHEL  and  other  attendants  take  places  at  back. 
Enter,  R.  and  L.,  several  slaves,  directed  by  MACRO, 
bringing  wine  and  fruit.  Exit  MACRO.] 

Flavius  were  happy,  could  he  dare  to  think 
That  grace  and  beauty,  honoring  his  poor  house, 
Had  sought  his  humble  dwelling  with,  perhaps, 
One  little  thought  of  kindness  for  himself. 

MARY 

A  gentle  flattery  never  comes  amiss  — 

Or  so  men  think  —  to  please  a  woman's  ear. 

Lord  Flavius  seems  an  adept  in  this  art, 

And  words  are  turned  to  flowers  when  he  speaks  them. 

[Crosses  to  L.~] 

FLAVIUS 

Truth  is  not  flattery ;  Flavius  only  says 
It  would  be  sweet  to  live  in  Mary's  thought, 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  49 

As  something  worth  a  smile  —  or,  better  still, 
The  good  remembrance  of  a  passing  sigh. 

MARY 

Mary,  perhaps,  has  cause  enough  to  sigh ; 
But  when  she  thinks  of  Flavius,  she  recalls 
Kindness  and  courtesy,  protective  care, 
And  unobtrusive  homage.     Be  assur'd 
Her  thoughts  of  him  are  kind. 
We  understand  each  other,  and  are  friends. 

FLAVIUS 

Friends,  to  the  last !     A  dearer  wish  have  I, 
But  must  not  speak  it  yet  —  at  least  not  here. 
I  wonder,  now,  if  you  can  read  the  heart  ? 

MARY 

The  heart  of  man  is  like  an  open  book, 

When  something  he  imagines  beautiful  — 

Some  image  that  he  dotes  on,  in  his  fancy  — 

Has,  for  a  while,  enthrall'd  him.     Close  it,  Flavius ! 

The  word  I  may  have  read  there  is  forgotten ; 

It  must  not  be  remembered. 

FLAVIUS 
Be  it  so. 

\_Enter  Egyptian  Dancers,  Z.] 

Lady,  by  your  leave, 
Our  revel  is  at  hand. 

[Business.     Dance,  etc.~\ 


5O  MARY  OF  MAG  DA  LA 

MARY 

The  sweetest  music  seems  not  always  sweet, 
Save  when  the  mind  is  free. 

FLAVIUS 

[Rising.] 
Break  off  the  music ! 

[Exeunt  Dancers.     Enter  MACRO. 

More  visitors  ?     Who  is  it  now  that  comes  ? 

MACRO 
The  High  Priest,  Caiaphas,  would  see  Lord  Flavius. 

FLAVIUS 

\_To  MARY.] 
Lady,  by  your  leave. 

[MARY  bows.] 
[To  MACRO.] 
Conduct  him  hither. 

[Exit  MACRO,  Z.] 
[Aside] 

Strange  that  the  High  Priest  of  Jerusalem  — 
Should  visit  my  poor  dwelling  ! 

[Enter  L.,  CAIAPHAS,  attended  by  GAMALIEL  and  other 
Priests.     MARY  rises] 

FLAVIUS 

Hail,  venerable  man ! 
What  happy  fortune  brings  this  honor  to  me  ? 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  51 

CAIAPHAS 
A  matter  of  great  import,  Aulus  Flavius. 

FLAVIUS 

Matters  of  import  are  for  Pilate's  ear, 
Rather  than  mine.     He  is  the  governor. 

CAIAPHAS 

The  noble  Pilate  hath,  these  many  days, 

Been  deaf  to  me,  about  this  business  : 

He  will  not  listen  :  so  I  come  to  thee, 

That  thou  may'st  know  the  danger,  and  may'st  warn 

him.  — 

But,  pardon  me ;  I'll  seek  another  time, 
When  we  are  private. 

\_A  pause.     CAIAPHAS  looks  attentively  at  MARY.] 

Meanwhile,  Lord  Flavius, — 
If  I  may  crave  so  great  a  privilege,  — 
Could  I  but  say  a  word,  before  I  go, 
Here,  to  this  lady,  and  to  her  alone, 
It  would  advantage  her — perhaps  avert 
Some  peril. 
Her  face  and  name  are  not  unknown  to  me. 

FLAVIUS 
If  she  be  pleased  to  hear  you. 

\_He  looks  at  MARY,  -with  inquiry  of  manner,  and  she 
assents  by  a  slight  sign.'] 


52  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

Be  it  so. 

Then  I  will  leave  you  —  knowing  you  are  mindful 
The  lady  is  the  guest  of  Aulus  Flavius. 

[CAIAPHAS  bows.  MARY,  by  a  sign,  dismisses  her  fol- 
lowers. Exit  FLAVIUS,  info  garden,  C.,  followed  by 
RACHEL  and  the  other  attendants  of  MARY.  CAIAPHAS 
gives  a  signal  of  dismissal  to  GAMALIEL  and  the  other 
attendant  Priests,  and  they  go  out,  L.  CAIAPHAS  and 
MARY  are  alone.] 

CAIAPHAS 

'Tis  long  since  I  have  looked  upon  thy  face. 
Thou  dost  not  seek  the  Temple  any  more,  — 
Fearing  to  hear  the  voice  of  rebuke ; 
As  well  thou  may'st. 

MARY 

I  am  not  fond  of  words. 
Thy  voice  is  mostly  heard  in  that  high  place : 
There's  little  room  for  any  other  sound. 

CAIAPHAS 
Dost  thou  rebel  ?     Remember,  I  can  punish. 

MARY 

And  that  same  voice  is  more  than  common  sweet ! 
No  wonder  Caiaphas  delights  to  hear  it. 

CAIAPHAS 

Woman,  thy  life  is  open  ;  all  thy  shame 

Is  seen  and  known.     I  long  have  noted  thee. 


MARY  OF  MAG  DAL  A  53 

MARY 

Good  men  take  special  care  to  notice  vice, 
When  vice  is  clothed  with  beauty. 
No  doubt  it  is  solicitude  for  woman. 

CAIAPHAS 
Weakness  hath  ever  need  of  strength,  to  shield  it. 

MARY 

Your  good  King  David  had  an  eye  to  that, 
In  fair  Bathsheba's  time. 

CAIAPHAS 

Thou  railest,  woman  !     Thou  hast  broken  through 
The  sacred  bond  of  wedlock ;  left  thy  husband ; 
Trodden  the  downward  path  of  sin  and  shame. 
Thy  life  is  forfeit,  by  the  Law  of  Moses : 
Art  thou  so  stolid,  in  thy  wickedness, 
That  thou  art  dead  to  fear  ? 

MARY 

What  should  I  fear  from  such  a  holy  man 
As  our  great  Caiaphas  ? 

CAIAPHAS 

I  could  denounce  thee  : 
False  to  thy  race  and  recreant  to  thy  faith ! 
Vile  minion  of  this  Roman  profligate ! 


54  MARY  OF  MA  CD  ALA 

MARY 

He  bears  the  signet,  and  he  hath  the  ear, 
Of  Pontius  Pilate  :  he's  a  useful  man. 

CAIAPHAS 

Audacious  wanton !     In  the  open  day, 
I  find  thee  feasting  with  the  proud  oppressor, 
Bearing  thy  part  in  his  lascivious  orgy  — 
Exultant  and  defiant  in  thy  shame. 

MARY 

I  like  a  politician  in  my  train. 

All  puppets  dance,  when  Beauty  pulls  the  string. 

CAIAPHAS 

Woman,  beware  !    The  Council  hath  observed  thee,  — 

Even  the  Sanhedrim,  —  and,  at  a  word, 

Thy  course  is  run.     Beware,  lest  I  should  speak  it. 

MARY 

There  are  good  friends  of  mine  in  that  same  Council. 
Gray  hairs  and  virtue  are  not  always  kin. 
I  neither  fear  thee,  nor  thy  Council,  Priest ! 

CAIAPHAS 

Mary  of  Magdala,  the  day  will  come 
When,  from  those  eyes,  now  sparkling  with  disdain, 
The  light  will  fade,  and  from  those  cheeks  the  roses 
Will  shrink  and  wither.     I  might  speak  of  this ; 


MARY   OF  MAGDALA  55 

Might  warn  thee  of  the  coming  on  of  time, 

When  homage  will  be  changed  to  cold  contempt, 

And  words  of  love  be  never  whispered  more. 

But  this  would  be  reproof.     Let  it  alone. 

My  words  shall  be  of  comfort  —  not  of  censure. 

Over  thy  piteous  past  I'll  throw  a  veil, 

If  only  thou  dost  heed  me  in  the  present. 

MARY 
\_Ironic  ally. ~\ 

I  am  not  very  like  to  pass  unheeded 

So  potent  and  so  wise  a  man  as  Caiaphas. 

CAIAPHAS 

Delilah  sav'd  her  people  :  Judith's  hand 
Smote  the  Assyrian  and  destroy'd  him. 

MARY 

I  know  not  that  I  understand  the  drift 
Of  this  strange  indirection. 

CAIAPHAS 

Thou  art  used 

To  fire  the  fancy  of  confiding  men. 
Thy  soft  enchantment  hath  beguiled  this  Roman. 
Thou  say'st,  thyself,  he  hath  the  ear  of  Pilate, 
The  Procurator  here. 

MARY 

Well,  what  of  that  ? 


56  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

CAIAPHAS 

Thou  know'st,  perchance,  the  wand'ring  Nazarene, 

The  prophet  of  sedition,  who  defies 

The  Priesthood  of  the  Temple  and  the  Law  ? 

MARY 

I've  heard  there  is  a  Nazarene,  who  preaches. 
What's  that  to  me  ?     I  have  not  seen  the  man : 
I  do  not  know  him,  even  by  a  name. 

CAIAPHAS 

This  sacrilegious  man,  this  Nazarene. 

Hath  power  upon  the  foolish  multitude, 

And  many  people  are  misled  by  him : 

Not  through  his  wisdom,  —  for  he  is  not  wise ; 

But,  partly,  that  he  is  a  charlatan, 

Deceiving  them  with  tricks,  called  miracles ; 

And  much  because  of  idle  promises, 

To  raise  the  lowly,  when  he  shall  be  crown'd 

As  Israel's  king.     Now  Pilate  might  destroy  him, 

And  ought  to  do  so ;  but  he  will  not  listen. 

Therefore  I  come  to  Flavius,  whom  he  loves, 

And  whose  persuasion,  earnestly  employ'd, 

Would  set  the  lethal  sword  of  law  in  motion, 

And  sweep  this  dangerous  dreamer  from  our  path. 

MARY 

Mary  of  Magdala  hath  naught  to  do 
With  Pontius  Pilate. 


MARY   OF  MAGDALA  57 

CAIAPHAS 
[Significantly^ 

Mary  of  Magdala 
Hath  everything  to  do  with  Aulus  Flavius. 

MARY 

This  was  thy  purpose  then,  High  Priest  of  lies ! 

To  profit  by  a  woman's  wanton  lure,  — 

Plunging  her  deeper  in  the  infamy 

That  late  thou  didst  rebuke.     Thou  hypocrite ! 

I  am  to  take  a  Roman  paramour, 

And,  by  that  means,  bend  Pontius  to  thy  will,  — 

Launching,  upon  the  head  of  innocence, 

Anguish  and  death,  to  feed  thy  bigotry 

And  glut  thy  priestly  vengeance  !     Infamous  ! 

I  see  thee,  now,  the  loathsome  thing  thou  art  — 

Unscrupulous,  vindictive,  and  corrupt ! 

My  curse  upon  thee  ! 

And  cursed  be  thy  whole  pernicious  race ! 

They  are  all  false  !  all  bestial !  villains  all ! 

Intent  on  greed,  and  lust,  and  violence  ! 

0  if  there  be  some  deadly  Power  that  hears 
A  woman's  supplication,  hear  me  now  ! 
Deliver  them,  O  Fiend,  into  my  hands ! 

1  will  not  spare  one  living  soul  of  all 
That  come  within  my  reach  ! 

Sin  shall  be  still  my  choice !  and  still  my  joy 
Shall  be  to  gloat  upon  their  hopeless  ruin, 
And  riot  on  the  wages  of  their  shame ! 


58  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

[MARY  and  CAIAPHAS   stand  confronting  each   other. 
Enter,  quickly,  FLAVIUS,  from  garden,  C.~\ 

FLAVIUS 

Delay  no  longer,  lady ! 
The  prophet  has  gone  forth  into  the  garden. 
Many  are  with  him.     You  can  see  him  there, 
And  hear  his  voice.  —  Why  dost  thou  stare  ? 
Is  then  thy  purpose  changed  ? 

\_Exit  MARY,  quickly \  to  garden,  CJ\ 

\_To  CAIAPHAS.] 
What  hast  thou  said  ? 
I  have  not  seen  her  thus,  at  any  time. 
Some  dark  and  deadly  thought  broods  in  her  mind. 

CAIAPHAS 

The  mind  of  woman  is  a  shallow  thing ; 
I  do  not  care  to  search  it. 

FLAVIUS 

Yet  evermore  the  feeble  race  of  man 

Is  ruled  by  woman. 

Women  and  priests  divide  the  spoils  of  empire. 

He  is  not  wise  who  scorns  the  thoughts  of  women. 

But  that  is  nothing.     Thou  hast  wounded  her. 

You  good  men  are  too  ready  with  reproof. 

CAIAPHAS 

The  High  Priest  of  Jerusalem  may  speak, 
In  needful  admonition,  when  he  will. 
All  places  are  as  temples  for  the  truth. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  59 

FLAVIUS 

She  is  my  guest.     Not  even  by  a  word 

Shall  harm  befall  her.     Where  a  Roman  dwells 

Is  Roman  soil. 

'Twere  well  you  do  not  trespass  on  my  patience. 

CAIAPHAS 

The  yoke  is  laid  upon  us  ;  but  the  Lord 
Hath  his  own  time. 

FLAVIUS 

So  hath  Tiberius  Caesar : 
And  it  may  very  suddenly  arrive, 
For  such  as  brave  his  power.  — 
No  more  of  this. 

You  spoke,  but  now,  of  certain  business ; 
And,  since  my  duty  is  to  serve  the  State, 
I'll  listen  to  it. 

[FLAVIUS  indicates  a  seat  for  CAIAPHAS,  and  both  sit.'] 

CAIAPHAS 

Then,  briefly,  this  it  is. 
The  Nazarene,  — 

Often  heard  preaching  in  thy  neighbor's  garden, 
Deceives  the  people  and  stirs  up  sedition. 
Crowds  follow  him.     The  throng  increases  daily. 
He  should  be  seized.    The  city's  peace  is  threatened. 

FLAVIUS 

Because  a  credulous  and  silly  mob 

Follows  a  dreamer  ?  —  I  have  lived  in  Rome, 


6O  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

Where  alien  priests,  Chaldeans  and  the  like, 
Preach  every  day,  and  are  forever  prating. 
Let  him  dream  on,  still  talking  in  his  dreams ! 
So  that  the  chief  divinity  of  Rome  — 
Tiberius  Caesar  — 

Be  not  assail'd,  nor  any  way  disturb'd, 
His  talk  is  harmless. 

CAIAPHAS 

We  also  bow  to  Rome's  great  Emperor ; 
But  our  devotion  owns  a  mightier  power. 
We  cannot  any  longer  tamely  bear 
That  one  of  our  own  people  should  defy 
The  covenants  of  Israel,  and  the  Law. 

FLAVIUS 
[Satirically.] 

And  is  it,  then,  against  your  Jewish  law, 

To  heal  the  sick  ?     I've  heard  this  wondrous  man 

Can  heal  the  sick,  and  also  raise  the  dead. 

CAIAPHAS 

I  came  not  here  to  speak  of  sacred  things, 
For  flippant  scorn  to  mock  at. 
Be  warned !     This  peril  to  Jerusalem 
Is  equally  a  deadly  threat  to  Rome. 

FLAVIUS 

Rome  hath  no  fear  of  your  poor  Nazarene. 
Thou  hast  not  seen  him,  Caiaphas,  as  I  have. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  6 1 

He's  not  contentious.     Mostly  he  has  visions ; 
And  'tis  of  them  he  speaks  : 
Mansions  in  clouds,  and  other  vapory  matter. 
His  face  is  mild ;  there  is  no  peril  in  it. 
Your  fears,  Lord  Caiaphas,  are  very  idle. 

CAIAPHAS 

The  face  of  man  is  often  but  a  mask. 

The  snake  in  Paradise  was  fair  to  see. 

To  us,  young  soldier, 

I  say  this  Galilean  is  a  menace  — 

An  insult  to  our  faith  and  to  our  Law ; 

A  danger  to  the  State,  and,  if  not  checked, 

The  power  of  Rome  itself  will  tremble  for  it. 

FLAVIUS 
Rome's  eagles  overshadow  all  the  world. 

CAIAPHAS 
Till  the  Most  High  shall  check  their  flight  at  last. 

FLAVIUS 

It  may  be  so ;  it  is  not  wise  to  say  so. 
But  wherein  does  this  harmless  Nazarene 
Disturb  your  peace  or  menace  your  religion  ? 

CAIAPHAS 

He  hath  proclaimed  he  will  destroy  our  Temple, 
And  in  three  days  rebuild  it,  and  be  crown'd,  — 
Ay,  crown'd  therein, — the  King  of  Israel! 


62  ATAKY  OF  Af A  CD  ALA 

FLAVIUS 
Lord  Caiaphas, 

You  are  a  learned  man  and  a  wise  priest ; 
But,  this  time,  sure,  your  wisdom  is  asleep. 
If  this  same  preacher  be  indeed  your  foe, 
Able  and  ripe  for  mischief,  should  not  Rome, 
In  common  policy  and  common  sense, 
Sustain  his  cause  against  you  ? 
The  Jews  are  still  the  secret  foes  of  Rome: 
They  would  be  open  foes,  had  they  the  power. 
They  do  not  lack  the  courage  nor  the  will. 
Rome  will  be  friends  with  every  enemy 
That  strikes  at  you. 
I  marvel  you  could  reason  otherwise. 

\Hc  rises."] 

Pilate,  be  sure,  will  give  you  no  protection : 
Rome  will  not  be  your  watchman  nor  your  guard. 

CAIAPHAS 


'  Pride  goeth  before  destruction.' 

The  Lord,  who  reigneth,  will  cast  down  the  mighty. 

He  will  consume  and  utterly  destroy 

All  them  that  break  his  Law. 


So  I  have  heard. 


FLAVIUS 
[Playfully.'] 


[Hoarse  murmurs  outside.    A  fa  mult,  gradually  increas- 
ing.    MIRIAM  rushes  in,  from  garden,  C.~] 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  63 

MIRIAM 

Save  the  poor  woman !     Help  her,  and  save  her ! 

FLAVIUS 
What  woman  ? 

MIRIAM 

They  threaten !     They  will  kill  her ! 
[  Clamor  increases.] 

FLAVIUS 
What  woman,  I  say  ? 

MIRIAM 

She  came  out  from  your  garden  :  she  press'd  near, 
And  stood  before  the  Master :  then  a  voice 
Cried  out,  in  fury,  'The  adulteress  — 
Mary  of  Magdala.     Stone  her!  Stone  her! ' 

FLAVIUS 

\Snatching  up  his  sword."] 
Madmen !     Would  they  dare  ? 

[Tumult  outside. ~\ 
Caiaphas,  speak  thou  to  the  multitude ! 

CAIAPHAS 
She  hath  deserved  her  doom,  and  must  abide  it. 

FLAVIUS 
Then  I  will  meet  them  ! 


64  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

[FLAVIUS  rushes  toward  garden,  meeting  a  great  throng. 
MARY  rushes  forward,  C.  JUDAS,  striving  to  shield  her, 
comes  next,  and  then  a  mob  of  furious  men  and  women, 
intent  upon  killing  MARY,  presses  in  from  the  garden, 
with  great  and  continual  clamor.  RACHEL  is  among 
the  rabble,  trying  to  reach  her  mistress.] 

VOICES 

Down  with  the  wanton  !  Down  with  her !  Stone 
her  to  death ! 

JUDAS 
Back !     Touch  her  not ! 

FLAVIUS 

Ha!  Macro!  Quintus !  Sextus !  What  rabble's 
this  ? 

MANY   VOICES 

\These  words  distributed  among  them.~\ 

He  is  her  lover !  He  would  protect  the  wanton  ! 
Out  with  her  to  the  street !  Let  her  die  !  Stone  her 
to  death !  It  is  the  Law  of  Moses !  Stone  her  to 
death ! 

JUDAS 

No  hand  shall  touch  her ! 

\_Continued  and  tremendous  clamor.  The  mob  wildly 
agitated.  Picture.  FLAVIUS,  with  drawn  sword,  domi- 
nating the  scene.~\ 

FLAVIUS 
This  woman  is  my  guest :  I  will  protect  her. 

[Renewed  shouts.     SIMON  rushes  forward,  C.~\ 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  65 

SIMON 
Silence  !     Back,  all  of  you  !     Silence,  I  say ! 

\_The  mob  become  suddenly  silent."] 
Hear  what  the  Master  even  now  hath  said  : 

'HE    THAT    IS    WITHOUT     SIN    AMONG    YOU,     LET    HIM 
CAST    THE    FIRST    STONE  !  ' 

\_The    multitude    is    quelled.      All   bow    their    heads. 
Momentary  silence.    Picture^ 

RACHEL 

\To  Mary.'] 
Come  away ! 

MARY 
\Jn  delirium  of  dread '.] 

There !     There !     Do  you  not  see  them  ? 

Those  awful  eyes !     They  burn  into  my  soul ! 

Their  light  of  doom  illumines  all  the  world. 

Ah,  save  me !     Save  me  !     Save  me  from  those  eyes  ! 

QUICK   CURTAIN 


ACT  III 


ACT    III 

SCENE  :  A  square  in  Jerusalem,  with  practicable 
streets  opening  from  it 

On  R.  the  front  of  the  house  of  the  High  Priest.  On  L.  the 
porch  of  the  house  of  SIMON.  A  well  in  C.  at  back. 
A  throng  of  people  discovered  in  front  of  SIMON'S 
house. 

\_Enter  JOAB  and  HARAN,  R.~\ 

JOAB 
\_Indicating  throng  of  people  around  SIMON'S  house. ~\ 

There  they  stand,  Haran  ;  fools  and  madmen  all  — 
Waiting  to  see  their  new  King  of  the  Jews. 

HARAN 
Madmen  and  fools  sometimes  speak  truth,  good  Joab. 

JOAB 

I  saw  this  preacher,  at  the  Passover ; 

The  people  crowded  round  him,  waving  palms : 

But  I  saw  nothing  strange  about  the  man. 

He's  very  like  the  customary  rabbi. 

There  was,  indeed,  a  fire  in  his  eyes, 

As  of  a  fever. 

69 


7O  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

HARAN 
I  should  like  to  see  him. 

JOAB 

He  talks  in  parables,  and  tells  odd  tales. 

His  followers  are  mostly  fishermen. 

They  neither  read  nor  write. 

Our  priests  have  question'd  him,  but  all  in  vain. 

Love,  he  declares,  is  higher  than  all  law, 

And  everybody  must  be  '  born  again.' 

HARAN 

I  know  you  laugh  at  me ;  but,  truly,  now, 
I'd  like  to  say,  in  Sidon,  that  I've  seen  him,  — 
This  famous  prophet  of  Jerusalem. 

JOAB 

My  father  is  most  furious  against  him ; 
Calls  him  '  Judea's  pest,'  and  '  foe  of  heaven.' 
I  cannot  help  you  here. 

For  my  part,  I  should  let  the  firebrand  die,  — 
Smoulder  to  ashes.     Caiaphas  is  too  eager. 
But  here  comes  Jotham. 

{Enter  JOTHAM,  Z.] 
Whither  away,  good  lad  ? 

JOTHAM 
The  way  to  you. 

Our  host,  by  Zion's  gate,  hath  wine  from  Samos. 
If  sprightly  Hester  come  to  wait  on  us, 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  71 

Haran  will  think  that  Paradise  has  open'd. 
What  say'st  thou,  Haran  ?     Wilt  thou  drink  ?     Wilt 
quaff  ? 

JOAB 

Haran  is  looking  for  another  heaven  — 
There  —  with  the  cobblers  and  the  fishermen. 

HARAN 

I  only  said  that  I  should  like  to  see  him  — 
This  Galilean,  whom  your  people  follow. 
You  know  I  am  a  stranger  in  your  city ; 
And,  to  the  traveller,  every  sight  is  novel. 

JOTHAM 

The  preacher  ?     He's  indeed  a  novelty ! 
Thy  faring  might  be  even  worse,  with  him, 
Than  'twas  with  Magdalen.     He  scorns  the  rich. 
Now  if,  perchance,  thou  wert  a  ragged  beggar  — 

HARAN 
\_In  terrupting^\ 

I  hear  the  Magdalen  was  saved  from  stoning,  — 
Because  she  went  before  him,  clad  in  gold,  — 
Saved  from  the  wrath  of  his  mad  followers, 
Who  would  have  slain  her. 

\The  door  of  SIMON'S  house  is  opened  and  SIMON  enters, 
L.,  pausing  on  the  threshold,~\ 


72  MARY  OF  MAG DA LA 

JOAB 

That  is  Simon :  a  sane  man  once,  and  pious ; 
Now  he's  crazed,  like  all  the  rest. 
Come !    Let's  away ! 

SIMON 
[Addressing  the  people^ 

Your  presence,  friends,  is  welcome,  but  the  house 
Is  full  of  people,  and  our  honored  Master, 
Who  is  within  —  and  sends  his  blessing  to  you  — 
Is  very  weary,  and  hath  need  of  rest. 
I  know  you  love  him,  and,  because  you  love  him, 
Will   spare   his   strength.     Come  to   this   place   to- 
morrow, 
And  you  shall  see  him. 

[Murmurs.     The  crowd  disperses  and  slowly  straggles 
off,  several  ways.     HARAN  approaches  SIMON.] 

HARAN 

I  am  a  stranger  and  a  traveller,  sir, 

From  Sidon ; 

And  must  depart,  to-morrow,  for  that  place. 

My  heart  is  eager  for  the  sight  of  him, 

This  holy  man  ; 

And,  should  you  fail  me,  I  may  never  see  him, 

Good  Simon,  let  me  enter.     I'll  not  trouble  him, 

Be  sure,  with  idle  questions. 

[SIMON  closes  the  door  and  comes  down  to  HARAN.] 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  73 

SIMON 

The  crowd  within  is  dense.     Come  to  my  garden. 
Since  thy  need  is  urgent,  I'll  not  deny  thee. 
See  him,  thou  shalt.     But  do  not  speak  to  him. 
He  hath  been  very  strange  to  us,  of  late : 
He  sits  in  silence,  and  he  muses  much ; 
And  he  is  sorrowful.     Come,  sir,  follow  me. 

\Exit  SIMON,  L.  U.  E.,  followed  by  HARAN.] 
JOTHAM 

\To  JOAB.] 

I  do  not  understand  this  guest  of  thine : 
But,  folly's  a  disease  and  easily  caught, 
And  still  it  spreads. 

Come,  Joab  :  let  us  go  where  Hester  waits, 
And  taste  the  wine  of  Samos. 

JOAB 

[Looking  off  R.~\ 
Very  gladly ! 

But  —  who  comes  yonder  ?     Is  it  ?     Can  it  be  ? 
By  all  the  Prophets,  yes  !     The  Magdalen  ! 
Close  veil'd  in  black ;  but  that  imperial  figure 
No  man  that  ever  saw  could  e'er  mistake. 
And,  see !  her  old  gray  shadow  follows  her. 

JOTHAM 

They  say  he  worketh  wonders  :  that,  indeed, 
Would  be  a  wonder  much  beyond  all  wonders. 


74  MARY  OF  ATA  CD  ALA 

\_Enter  MARY,  R.,  followed  by  RACHEL.  MARY  is  dressed 
in  black,  and  partly  veiled.  She  carries  a  little  box. 
JOTHAM  advances  to  meet  her,  obstructing  the  way.~\ 

JOTHAM 

A  greeting  to  the  beauteous  Magdalen  ! 

Art  thou  in  love  with  shards  and  pebbles,  Mary  ? 

Art  thou  enamor'd  of  loose  masonry  ? 

Wilt  thou  again  abide  the  pious  mob  ? 

JOAB 

\In  mockery.~\ 

Nay,  Jotham  !     Mark  you  not  her  garb  of  woe  ? 
She  will  not  enter. 

She  will  but  cast  her  body  on  the  ground, 
For  the  great  King  to  tread  on. 

JOTHAM 

The  proudest  nobles  of  Jerusalem 
Were  all  too  lowly  for  thee,  Mistress  Mary  ! 
Yet  is  thy  star  ascendant,  glorious  one ! 
Thou  may'st  be  consort  to  a  king  of  rags, 
And  rule  his  beggars. 

JOAB 

For,  thus  saith  the  prophet  Ezekiel : 

'  Thine  heart  was  lifted  up  because  of  thy  beauty  : 
thou  hast  corrupted  thy  wisdom  by  reason  of  thy 
brightness  :  I  will  cast  thee  to  the  ground.' 

[MARY  stands  motionless  and  silent,  gazing  toward  the 
house  of  SIMON.] 


MARY  OK  MAGDALA  75 

RACHEL 

So  hath  it  ever  been  with  curs  and  cowards ! 
Cringing  and  fawning,  when  her  state  was  royal, 
Prone  at  her  feet,  and  suppliant  for  a  smile, 
You  begg'd  her  favor !     Yet  her  sorrow  now 
Can  move  you  not  at  all. 

Evil  and  base  !     Be  sham'd,  and  ask  her  pardon ! 
Thou,  above  all,  thou  son  of  the  High  Priest, 
Repent  in  time ! 

JOTHAM 

Hast  thou  no  answer  for  this  homily  ? 
No  scrap  of  prophecy  to  stop  the  mouth 
Of  this  old  witch  ? 

JOAB 
\_Startled  and  abashed^ 

'  He  that  keepeth  his  mouth  keepeth  his  life.' 

How  pale  she  is  ! 

I'm  sorry  for  thee,  Mary. 

JOTHAM 

Her  cheeks  will  bloom  again  when  lovers  kiss. 
She  goes  to  coronation.     Come  away ! 

\_Exeunt  JOTHAM  and  JOAB,  Z.] 

RACHEL 

Lady,  once  more  be  warn'd  !     Stay  from  this  house  ! 
Do  not  again  venture  thy  precious  life. 


76  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

MARY 

I  do  the  thing  I  must. 

RACHEL 
And  thy  young  life  will  be  a  sacrifice. 

MARY 

My  life  is  nothing.     All  I  live  for  now 

Is  service  unto  him. 

He  is  my  judge,  my  Master,  and  my  refuge. 

Let  me  go ! 

If  I  may  never  see  his  face  again, 

My  soul  will  die  within  me ! 

RACHEL 

Then  wait  till  all  the  multitude  is  gone. 
Seek  him  when  he's  alone. 

MARY 

They  all  have  known  me  in  my  pomp  and  pride : 

They  all  shall  see  me  in  my  deep  contrition. 

Perchance  he'll  speak  to  me. 

O  Rachel,  he  is  sacred,  wonderful, 

And  I  a  creature  grovelling  in  the  dust, 

Stain'd  with  my  shame  and  burden'd  with  my  sin, 

Unworthy  to  approach  him. 

Yet  must  I  go. 

But,  if  thou  fear'st  his  followers,  stay  thou  here : 

It  will  not  be  for  long. 


MARY  OF  MA  CD  ALA  77 

RACHEL 

Even  though  this  portal  were  the  gate  of  death, 
I  would  not  leave  thee,  lady. 

\_Enter  MIRIAM,  from  house  of  SIMON,  Z.,  bearing  a 

pitcher.     She  goes  toward  well,  C.~\ 

MIRIAM 

\Seeing  MARY.] 
Thou  here ! 

MARY 

I  come  to  thank  him  —  not  to  trouble  him. 

I  do  not  think  that  any  heart  but  mine 

Can  know  what  comfort  it  would  be  to  see  him. 

MIRIAM 

No  one  can  enter.     Simon  hath  forbid. 
And  yet,  perhaps,  it  would  not  please  the  Master, 
That  thou  should'st  be  denied.     A  moment  wait. 
When  I  go  in,  thou  may'st  slip  in  with  me. 

[MIRIAM  goes  to  well  and  fills  pitcher  with  water. 
CAIAPHAS  and  GAMALIEL  appear  in  street,  up  stage  at 
JR.,  slowly  approaching.  MIRIAM  goes  into  SIMON'S 
house,  Z.,  bearing  pitcher,  and  MARY  and  RACHEL 
follow  her  and  the  door  is  closed.  CAIAPHAS  and 
GAMALIEL  come  forward,  R^\ 

CAIAPHAS 

There  is  no  other  course.     He  must  not  live. 
And,  since  this  Roman  will  not  strike  the  blow  — 


78  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

GAMALIEL 

There  might  be  yet  another  way  to  reach  him  — 
A  secret  way. 

CAIAPHAS 

No  secret  way  can  be,  in  this,  so  good 
As  the  plain,  open  way.     Our  cause  is  just : 
We  need  not  stain  it.     He  shall  have  a  trial, — 
That  all  the  people  may  behold  his  guilt, 
And  the  just  vengeance  of  the  outrag'd  Law. 

GAMALIEL 

But  how  to  seize  him  ? 
His  rabble  followers  are  numerous. 
There  would  be  rioting,  if  he  were  taken 
In  open  day. 

CAIAPHAS 

He  must  be  set  on  in  some  lonely  place. 
They  say  that  he  retires  into  such  places, 
From  time  to  time,  with  but  a  few  companions. 
If  one  of  these  same  credulous  attendants 
Could  be  induced  to  whisper  —  his  reward 
Would  not  be  stinted. 

GAMALIEL 

There's  one  of  them  —  a  dark  and  dangerous  man 

Who  might,  I  think,  be  tempted :  not  with  gold. 

He  left  a  craft  of  some  emolument, 

To  tend  upon  this  prophet. 

He  is  ambitious,  craving  honor,  power, 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  79 

And  much  he  talks  of  freedom  for  our  race. 

I  know  the  man  ;  Judas,  by  name ;  from  Kerioth. 

And,  lately,  when  I  spoke  with  him,  his  words 

Were  discontented  and  of  dubious  import. 

If  his  tongue  were  loosed  — 

But  yonder  comes  the  man,  seeking  his  fellows, 

No  doubt,  in  Simon's  house. 

\_Enter  JUDAS,  R.  He  goes  slowly  toward  the  house  of 
SIMON,  L.  He  is  moody  and  self-absorbed,  not  seeing 
anything  around  him^\ 

CAIAPHAS 
There  is  some  mystery  here.     Call  him,  Gamaliel. 

GAMALIEL 
A  greeting  to  thee,  Judas  ! 

JUDAS 

\_Startled  and  turning  quickly '.] 
And  to  thee  !     Who  is  it  calls  ? 

GAMALIEL 
The  High  Priest  of  Jerusalem. 

CAIAPHAS 
[Advancing.] 

Blessing  upon  thee,  Judas  ! 
The  priesthood  of  our  holy  Temple  grieves 
At  thy  defection.     Art  thou  going  there  — 
Even  to  that  false  prophet  ? 


8O  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

JUDAS 

Thou  hast  said. 

CAIAPHAS 

Men  say  that  thou  art  one  of  his  close  friends, 
Art  trusted  by  him.     Yet  he  spurns  the  Law, 
And  hath  profaned  the  Temple.     What  hast  thou 
To  do  with  such  a  man  ? 

JUDAS 

He  promis'd  the  deliverance  of  our  race,  — 
And  I  believed  him. 

CAIAPHAS 

Dost  believe  him  still  ? 

The  Roman  rules.     Our  race  is  still  in  bondage. 
Thou  wert  accounted  once  a  godly  man, 
A  wise  man,  Judas  : 

How  canst  thou  consort  with  these  credulous  fools, 
And  trust  in  idle  tales  and  promises  ? 

JUDAS 
Caiaphas  — 

CAIAPHAS 
Answer,  my  son ;  and  speak  as  to  a  friend. 

JUDAS 

He  said  he  would  establish  upon  earth 
Peace,  righteousness,  and  freedom  for  mankind. 
I  thought  to  see  him  break  the  Roman  yoke ; 
Give  back  the  land  to  us  of  Abraham's  seed  : 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  8 1 

Yet  when  he  enter'd  —  at  the  Passover  — 

When  all  was  ready,  and  the  hour  had  struck ; 

When  all  Judea  hunger' d  for  the  word; 

The  craven  paus'd. 

/  would  have  said  it,  though  a  million  lives 

Hung  in  the  balance. 

I  saw  him  falter,  and  I  knew  him  then 

For  what  he  is  —  a  man  of  dreams  and  precepts. 

Meekness  and  gentleness  are  all  his  talk : 

There  is  no  storm  of  wrath  in  his  weak  spirit, 

To  blast  and  shatter  these  accursed  Romans  ; 

To  break  our  chains,  and  wipe  away  our  shame. 

CAIAPHAS 
Talkers,  it  hath  been  said,  are  seldom  doers. 

JUDAS 

The  people  thronged  around  him,  wild  with  hope, 
Shouting,  and  waving  palms.     That  was  his  hour ! 
And  yet  he  held  his  peace ;  I  bade  my  heart 
Have  patience,  hoping  yet  to  strike  the  blow. 
But,  yesterday  — 

CAIAPHAS 
Well  ?    What  of  yesterday  ? 

JUDAS 

One  of  the  multitude  had  asked  of  him, 

'  Shall  we  pay  any  tribute  unto  Caesar  ? 

Tribute  ?     Since  thou  wilt  found  a  kingdom  for  us  ? ' 

Then  answered  he,  obsequious  and  timid, 


82  MARY  OF  MA  CD  ALA 

'  Render  to  Caesar  whatsoever  things 

Belong  to  Caesar  ! ' 

From  that  base  instant  I  have  hated  him, 

Even  as  once  I  loved  him.     All  my  love 

Is  chang'd  into  a  frenzy  of  contempt. 

Within  my  brain  there  is  a  surging  fire, 

And  all  the  world  seems  drench'd  in  seas  of  blood. 

This  night  shall  end  it.     I  will  break  the  chain. 

CAIAPHAS 
Be  patient,  Judas. 

Thy  spirit  did  but  slumber.     'Tis  awake. 
What  if  I  show  thee  now  an  easy  way 
To  make  atonement  for  thy  simple  error  ? 
A  ready  means  of  just  resentment,  Judas, 
Is  close  at  hand  —  clear,  swift,  and  terrible. 

JUDAS 
What  means  ? 

CAIAPHAS 

Is  he  not  guilty  ?     Hath  he  not  defied 
The  holy  Priesthood  ?     Doth  he  not  declare 
That  he  is  judge  and  lord,  above  the  Law  ? 
Should  he  escape  his  doom  ?     Observe  me,  Judas, 
And  consider  well  what  might  be  done  for  Justice. 
Should  he  not  —  die  ? 

JUDAS 

The  Sanhedrim  hath  power.     It  may  do  much. 
It  can  do  what  it  will. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  83 

CAIAPHAS 

Thou  dost  not,  —  or  thou  wilt  not,  —  understand. 
We  need  thy  help.     We  cannot  apprehend  him 
In  open  day.     The  multitude  is  fickle. 
He  hath  a  faction.     We  must  move  with  prudence. 
Let  him  be  dragg'd  but  to  our  judgment  seat, 
Our  friends  will  rally  and  the  blow  will  fall 
Before  the  rabble  knows  it. 

JUDAS 
Well.     Say  on. 

CAIAPHAS 

By  night,  in  secret,  we  must  seize  this  man, 

And  so  make  sure  of  him. 

Some  one  who  knows  his  haunts,  his  secret  refuge, 

Must  lead  the  way. 

Then  we  can  throw  the  noose  and  take  our  foe. 

He  that  will  help  us  in  this  pious  work  — 

I  tell  thee,  Judas, 

He  shall  have  honor  throughout  Israel ! 

Plaudits  and  riches  shall  be  heaped  upon  him, 

And  evermore  his  name  shall  be  extoll'd 

Among  the  foremost  names  of  all  the  race 

His  fortitude  and  wisdom  have"  preserved. 

JUDAS 

You  ask  me  to  betray  the  Nazarene. 

It  may  be  right  there  should  be  such  a  service : 

I  cannot  tell :  but  —  I  am  not  the  man 

To  do  that  service. 


84  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

CAIAPHAS 

And  yet  you  hate  him. 

JUDAS 

Once  I  loved  him,  too. 
If  that  was  sin,  I  do  repent  of  it. 
But,  I  cannot  forget. 

My  heart  is  bruis'd  and  broken,  when  I  think 
Of  all  I  once  believ'd,  and  hop'd,  and  trusted. 
But  —  I  cannot  betray  him.     Fare  you  well. 
My  lips  are  seal'd. 

But,  to  betray  him  —  it  can  never  be. 
For  that  base  office  —  you  must  seek  another. 
\_Exit  JUDAS,  into  the  house  of  SIMON,  Z.] 

CAIAPHAS 
i 
I  think  he  wavers  :  we  shall  have  him  yet.  — 

A  curse  upon  this  prophet ! 

Even  upon  them  that  hate  him  hath  he  laid 

A  spell  of  magic. 

GAMALIEL 
Will  Judas  warn  him,  think  you,  of  his  peril  ? 

CAIAPHAS 

What  warning  could  be  given,  or  would  avail  ? 
He  knows,  full  well,  we  are  his  enemies, 
And  knows  the  storm  is  up. 
The  thing  he  does  not  know  is,  how  or  when 
The  storm  will  break. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  85 

We  must  be  brief,  and,  when  we  strike,  our  blow 

Be  deadly. 

This  very  night  the  council  must  assemble. 

Make  haste,  Gamaliel :  summon  the  Sanhedrim. 

This  Judas  speaks  too  much  of  rectitude 

To  be  sincere.     We  shall  hear  from  him  yet,  — 

At  midnight,  in  the  Temple,  let  us  meet. 

\_Exit  CAIAPHAS,  into  his  house,  R.  Exit  GAMALIEL, 
R.  U.  E.  The  scene  gradually  grows  darker.  Enter, 
L.,  JOTHAM  and  JOAB,  frolicsome  with  wine.  JOTHAM 
enters  first,  talking  to  JOAB.] 

JOTHAM 

Come  boldly  forth,  thou  sucking  dove  of  virtue ! 
Lamb  of  the  sacred  Law,  be  comforted ! 
Thy  very  reverend  sire  hath  sought  his  ark. 

JOAB 
Saw'st  thou  his  angry  face  ? 

JOTHAM 
Indeed  did  I ! 

His  eyes  were  lightnings.     For  a  man  of  God, 

Thy  virtuous  parent  shows  capacity 

For  something  like  the  Devil,  in  his  wrath. 

JOAB 

I  would  not  be  like  yonder  Galilean  — 
No,  not  for  Mary's  self !  and  that's  a  prize 
Might  tempt  an  anchorite.  —  There's  danger  near. 


86  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

JOTHAM 
[Seeing  HARAN,  Z.,  as  SIMON'S  door  is  opened^ 

Who  comes  ?     The  valiant  Haran  !     Now  indeed 
We  shall  have  news. 

[Enter  HARAN,  from  SIMON'S  house,  Z.] 
Hast  thou  escaped,  O  Daniel,  from  the  lions  ? 

HARAN 

I  shall  be  ever  thankful  that  I've  seen  him. 
He's  like  no  other  man  I  ever  saw. 
The  light  from  his  great  eyes  is  like  pure  gold ; 
His  brow  is  like  the  dome  of  cloudless  heaven. 

JOTHAM 
And  thou  a  gull  that  screams  along  the  blue. 

HARAN 

I  tell  thee,  Jotham,  that  the  man  is  noble, 

And  if  you  but  come  nigh  him  —  either  of  you  — 

JOAB 

There's  one  of  us  would  win  his  father's  curse, 
And  be  cast  forth  without  inheritance. 
But,  tell  us,  Haran  : 

Mary  of  Magdala  came  here  to  see  him. 
Didst  thou  see  her  ? 

HARAN 

Ay  !  and  a  sight  most  wonderful  it  was. 
I  pressed  on,  to  the  threshold  of  the  room 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  87 

In  v/hich  he  sat,  'circled  with  his  companions. 
There  was  a  sudden  tumult :  then  a  woman, 
Clad  all  in  black,  fell  down  before  the  prophet, 
Weeping,  and  calling  blessings  on  his  head. 
He  raised  her  from  her  knees,  and  his  calm  eyes 
Look'd  on  her  with  such  kindness,  such  compassion, 
That  mine  were  filled  with  tears,  that  blinded  me. 
When  next  I  saw,  she  broke  a  box  of  perfume ; 
And  with  the  ointment,  murmuring,  she  refresh'd  him. 
Never  yet 

Have  I  beheld  such  beauty,  or  such  sorrow, 
Or  such  an  ecstasy  of  pure  contrition, 
In  any  human  face. 

JOTHAM 

She  is  a  witch.     The  net  is  spread  for  all ; 
And  saints  are  free  to  come,  as  well  as  sinners. 

HARAN 

Then  some  one  said,  the  costly  spikenard 

Might  have  been  sold,  for  money,  for  the  poor. 

'  Let  her  alone,'  he  said,  '  she  hath  done  well ; 

The  poor  are  always  with  you ;  I,  not  always. 

Soon  I  shall  be  gone.' 

Then  he  arose,  and  I  was  pressed  away, 

In  the  dense  crowd. 

JOTHAM 

They  say  he  hath  a  charm,  and  they  say  true. 
I  must  believe  it,  since  on  thee  the  spell 
Hath  wrought  so  mightily. 


88  ATAXY  OF  MAGDALA 

But  come  ?     Since  now  we  are  returned  to  seek  thee, 
'Tis  only  fair  to  try  a  counter  charm  — 
The  wine  of  Samos. 

HARAN 
No,  friend ;  my  mind  is  not  for  revelry. 

JOAB 

Thou  art  our  guest,  I  will  not  take  denial. 
It  must  be  mine  to  see  thou  dost  depart, 
As  sound  as  when  thou  earnest. 
Stay  not  for  Mary !     Hester  waits  for  thee. 

JOTHAM 
Come,  Haran,  come. 

[  JOTHAM  and  JOAB  urge  HARAN  and  the  three  go  away 
together,  by  street,  L.  Then  enter  MARY,/W/«  SIMON'S 
house,  L.,  followed  by  RACHEL  and  JUDAS.] 

JUDAS 

No  more !     I'll  bear  no  more !     I  have  endur'd 
Too  much,  already.     False  and  wanton  woman ! 
Hast  thou  forgotten  all  thy  vows  of  love  ? 
I  say  thou  art  mine  !     Thou  dost  belong  to  me. 

MARY 

Neither  to  thee,  nor  yet  to  any  man, 
Nor  to  myself !     Henceforward,  every  thought, 
And  every  hour  of  mine,  shall  be  devoted 
To  penitence  and  prayer. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  89 

JUDAS 

[Ironically. ~\ 

Thy  penitence  is  like  thy  faith  to  me,  — 

A  falsehood  and  a  mockery  —  for  the  moment. 

This  man  of  words,  I  think,  hath  turned  thy  brain. 

Let's  have  no  more  of  this !     I'm  weary  of  it. 

Enough,  for  once,  of  thy  fine  mummery ! 

It  was  well  done ;  but  I  do  know  thee,  Mary, 

And  I  am  not  deceived. 

Thou  wert  a  pretty  image,  on  thy  knees, 

Incarnate  of  repentance. 

MARY 

[  With  ecstasy.] 

What  should  the  creature  do,  but  cast  herself 
At  her  creator's  feet  ? 
He  hath  created  me  —  made  me  anew  — 
And  henceforth  I  will  live  for  only  worship. 

JUDAS 

These  pious  ecstasies  have  all  been  mine, 
And  all  will  die,  as  mine  did.     Thou  wilt  find 
This  world  is  never  very  credulous 
As  to  repentant  sinners. 

MARY 
This  world  and  I  are  very  far  asunder. 


90  MARY  OF  MA  CD  ALA 

JUDAS 

Thou'lt  find  the  world  the  stronger  of  the  two. 
Thou  art  consum'd  with  idle  vanity. 

MARY 

With  grief,  that  struggles  to  the  light  of  heaven, 
And,  blindly  groping,  only  asks  for  pardon. 
For  the  first  time  in  all  my  wretched  life, 
I  can  look  up  —  can  dare  to  hope  for  peace. 
I  am  no  more  a  thing  of  man's  pollution, 
Sinking  in  gulfs  of  shame.     I  can  look  up  — 
For  God  will  pity  me, 
And  on  the  desert  of  my  soul  will  shed 
The  dew  of  mercy. 

JUDAS 

Miserable  dreamer ! 

Thou  art  the  same  frail  creature  of  the  earth 
That  thou  hast  ever  been. 

MARY 

Hear  me  and  heed  me,  Judas.     Full  of  sin 
Hath  been  my  life.     It  shall  be  so  no  more. 
Our  evil  days  of  love  are  past  and  gone. 
Henceforth,  twixt  you  and  me  there  is  no  bond, 
But  only  silence  and  forgetfulness. 
Thou  art  forgiven.     Go  thy  ways  in  peace. 
Thou  might'st  have  tried  to  save  me  from  myself. 
It  is  no  matter.     Fare  thee  well,  forever. 

[Exit  MARY,  R.,  followed  by  RACHEL.     The  scene  is 
gradually  darkened,"] 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  91 

JUDAS 

[Alone.'} 

Dream  thy  vain  dream  ! 

Till  one  day  thou  shalt  wake,  and  know  thy  folly ! 

Even  as  I  did  waken,  so  shalt  thou ; 

And  in  that  hour  thou  wilt  remember  Judas. 

What  now  ?     I  held  thee  precious  among  women  ! 

With  all  thy  faults  I  lov'd  thee !     Now,  my  heart 

Knows  its  full  desolation.     Every  hope 

I  had  on  earth  is  blasted,  at  one  blow. 

My  race  betray'd,  and  the  one  only  heart 

On  which  I  rested  bitterly  beguil'd 

And  turn'd  against  me  ! 

\_He  makes  a  gesture  of  menace  toward  the  home  of 
SIMON.] 

Put  on  thy  armor,  Judas !     Be  thy  heart 
Fenc'd  round  with  triple  brass,  that  never  arrow 
Of  word  or  look  from  him  shall  pierce  it  more. 
I  will  confront  him  and  renounce  him  now ! 

\He   turns   L.     The   scene   has  become  dark.     Enter 
FLAVIUS,  R.,  preceded  by  MACRO  with  a  lighted  torch.~\ 

FLAVIUS 

[Aside,  seeing  JUDAS.] 

The  doughty  champion  of  the  Magdalen  ! 
[FLAVIUS  advances,  addressing  JUDAS.] 


92  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

Hail,  noble  Judas !     Pink  of  chivalry ! 
What  doth  the  true  believer  in  the  dark, 
When  all  is  light  within  ? 


JUDAS 

Neither  my  darkness  nor  my  light  is  thine  — 

[Aside.] 
At  least  not  yet. 

[Going,  Z.] 

FLAVIUS 

Stay  yet  a  moment.     Do  not  gnash  thy  teeth. 

I  would  have  speech  with  thee. 

Thy  lord  and  master,  whom  I  heard  to-day, 

Hath  taught  a  goodly  lesson  to  his  people. 

'  Love  your  enemies !    Bless  them  that  curse  you ! 

Do  good  to  them  that  have  done  ill  to  you ! ' 

Hast  heard  of  this  wise  counsel? 

JUDAS 

And  didst  thou  hear  it,  Roman?     Have  such  words 
Passed  from  his  lips  ? 

FLAVIUS 

Most  certainly  they  have ! 
And  very  good  words,  too,  as  I  consider,  — 
That  all  his  followers  would  do  well  to  heed. 
There  has  been  talk  of  insurrection : 
A  man  named  Judas  has  not  been  quite  silent. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  93 

My  uncle  Pilate  wished  to  probe  the  matter, 

And  so  I  wandered  into  Simon's  garden, 

And  heard  the  preachments.     Rome  is  still  secure. 

I  do  assure  thee, 

Thy  master  is  all  peace  and  harmony. 

No  war  for  him ;  no  plotting ;  no  disturbance ! 

'  Love  all  your  enemies ; '  that's  what  he  said. 

Why  not  begin  with  me  ? 

JUDAS 
The  curse  of  Cain  upon  thy  hated  race ! 

FLAVIUS 

And  yet,  friend  Judas,  thou  wilt  have  to  yield. 
Thy  leader  is  content :  thy  wolves  are  sheep,  — 
His  sheep,  —  and  he  will  help  to  gather  them, 
In  the  great  pasture  of  the  shepherd,  Caesar. 
Pilate  will  one  day  send  him  to  the  Emperor,  — 
Even  to  Rome,  —  for  thanks  and  recompense. 
'Tis  fair  in  Rome.    Thou  knowest  naught  of  pleasure 
Till  thou  hast  seen  our  glorious  capital. 
Farewell,  great  Judas.     Love  your  enemies ! 

{Exeunt  FLAVIUS  and  MACRO,  Z.] 

JUDAS 

We  are  to  bear  the  yoke  of  slavery, 

And  kiss  the  scourge,  e'en  though  it  drips  with  blood. 

These  are  his  teachings :  this  the  end  of  all : 

Dishonor,  degradation,  lasting  shame !  — 

And  we  must  love  and  bless  the  proud  oppressor, 


94  MARY  OF  MA  CD  ALA 

And  kiss  the  hoof  that  treads  us  in  the  mire !  — 
Shaming  our  sires,  in  desecrated  graves, 
And  winning  curses  from  our  children's  lips. 
It  shall  not  be !     No,  not  while  Judas  lives. 

[JUDAS  stands  for  a  moment  in  thought  and  passionate 
conflict.  Then  he  goes  quickly  toward  the  door  of  the 
High  Pries fs  house,  R.  At  the  same  moment  the  door 
is  opened  and  CAIAPHAS  appears  on  the  threshold,  at- 
tended by  a  Servant,  bearing  a  torch.~\ 

CAIAPHAS 
Who  seeks  the  High  Priest  of  Jerusalem  ? 

JUDAS 
One  who  brings  tidings  you'll  be  glad  to  hear. 

CAIAPHAS 
[Recognizing  Judas,  whose  face  is  illumined  in  the 

torch-light.'} 
Judas ! 

[Picture.] 

CURTAIN 


ACT  IV 


ACT   IV 

SCENE  :  Room  in  MARY'S  house 

Same  as  that  of  Act  /.  MARY  and  RACHEL  are  discovered. 
MARY  reads  from  a  parchment  that  is  spread  before 
her,  on  table. 

MARY 

\Reading]  '  As  the  apple  tree  among  the  trees  of 
the  wood  so  is  my  beloved  among  the  sons.  ...  I 
sat  down  under  his  shadow  with  great  delight,  and 
his  fruit  was  sweet  to  my  taste.' 

RACHEL 

Wilt  thou  not  eat,  lady  ? 

Thy  fast  hath  been  full  long  and  thou  art  weak. 

MARY 

Bring  the  lamp,  Rachel.  It  grows  very  dark. 
\Exit  RACHEL,  L.  MARY  continues  reading^  '  My 
beloved  spake  and  said  unto  me,  Rise  up,  my  love, 
my  fair  one,  and  come  away.  .  .  .  The  flowers  ap- 
pear on  the  earth ;  the  time  of  the  singing  of  birds 
is  come  — '  \_Reenter  RACHEL,  bearing  a  lighted 
lamp,  which  she  places  on  the  table.~\  '  My  beloved  is 
mine  and  I  am  his.  He  feedeth  among  the  lilies.' 
G  97 


98  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

RACHEL 

Thou  wilt  be  ill  with  fasting  —  very  ill. 
A  morsel  of  lamb  —  a  handful  of  dates  — 

MARY 

'Until    the    day    break    and    the    shadows    flee 
away '  — 

O  Rachel,  I've  no  need  of  anything! 
Through  him,  at  last,  I  have  learned  happiness  — 
The  peace  that  feeds  the  hunger  of  the  soul, 
For  all  is  peace  with  him. 

RACHEL 

If  thou  hadst  peace  thou  wouldst  sometimes  have 

sleep, 

And  not  be  reading,  all  the  livelong  night, 
These  Scriptures,  till  thine  eyes  are  worn  and  hollow. 
Three  days  —  and  not  one  friend  has  been  admitted, 
Nor  have  we  crossed  the  threshold  all  that  time. 

MARY 

Because,  at  last,  my  soul  hath  found  a  friend ; 
Because,  at  last,  I  need  no  friend  but  him. 

RACHEL 

Thy  friend  ?     And  yet  he  tarries  far  away. 
Why  dost  not  send  for  him  ? 

MARY 

0  Rachel !     That  thou  dost  not  understand  ! 

1  am  not  worthy  that  his  sacred  hand 
Should  rest  upon  my  head. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  99 

His  love  is  for  the  world  —  for  the  whole  world ! 

His  love  belongs  to  all. 

Into  his  heavenly  kingdom  he  will  lead  them  — 

All  that  are  clean  of  heart.     And  that  am  I  — 

For  he  hath  made  me  so  :  and  ever  that 

I  will  remain. 

RACHEL 

Thy  thoughts  are  strange :  I  cannot  follow  them. 

I  only  see  that  thou  art  worn  and  ill. 

A  fever  dries  thy  blood. 

Let  us  go  forth  into  the  evening  air. 

Thy  garden  walks  are  cool,  under  the  trees ; 

And,  later,  thou  wilt  sleep. 

MARY 
I  love  not  sleep  that  brings  no  dream  of  him. 

RACHEL 

Lady,  my  heart  is  breaking  with  my  sorrow. 
I  could  not  live  if  thou  wert  taken  from  me. 
\_Knocking  at  the  door,  CJ\ 

MARY 

See  who  is  there.     Let  no  one  come  to  me. 
[RACHEL  goes  to  door,  C.~] 

MARY 

[Murmurs  to  herself,  in  meditation.'] 
'  Until  the  day  break  and  the  shadows  flee  away.' 
[RACHEL  returns  to  MARY.] 


IOO  MARY  OF  MA  CD  ALA 

RACHEL 

It  is  the  Roman,  Aulus  Flavius. 

MARY 

Flavius  ?     Hath  he  forgot  ?     I  will  not  see  him. 
Send  him  away. 

RACHEL 

He  says  he  will  not  go  till  thou  hast  heard  him. 
He  says  he  brings  thee  tidings  of  the  Master. 

MARY 
Of  him  ?     Then  quickly  let  him  come  to  me. 

[RACHEL  goes  to  door,  C.,  and  admits  FLAVIUS.] 
Can  it  be  true  that  he  has  thought  of  me  ? 
\_Exit  RACHEL,  Z.] 

Of  me,  that  am  no  more  than  is  a  mote 
That  wavers  in  the  sunbeam  of  his  vision ! 

[FLAVIUS  advances^ 

FLAVIUS 

Thou  hast  forbidden  me  thy  presence,  Mary ; 
And  yet  I  come  once  more. 

MARY 
Thou  hast  a  message.     Is  it,  then,  from  him  ? 

FLAVIUS 
I  come  but  from  myself. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  IOI 

MARY 

Unworthy  subterfuge  !     Thou  hast  deceived  me 
To  gain  admittance.     But  it  shall  not  serve. 
Thou  dost  not  know  the  heart  that  thou  would'st 
wrong. 

FLAVIUS 

Nor  dost  thou  know  the  constant  heart  of  Flavius. 

The  message  that  I  bring  is  one  of  grief, 

And  yet  of  grief  that  may  be  turned  to  joy. 

Thou  wilt  be  grieved  to  know  they  have  seized  thy 

prophet, 

Scourged  him  with  whips,  and  set  upon  his  brows,  — 
Since  he  hath  called  himself  '  King  of  the  Jews,'  — 
A  crown  of  thorns. 

[FLAVIUS  sits.! 

\J> 

MARY 
Crowned  him  with  thorns  ?     What  idle  tale  is  this  ? 

FLAVIUS 

Ay,  in  contempt  and  scorn.     Your  priests  hate  well, 
And  they  are  merry  hangmen. 

MARY 

Thou  canst  not  mean  it,  Aulus  Flavius ! 
Tell  me  the  rest !     Tell  all ! 
For  these  three  days  I  have  not  left  my  home. 
No  voice  hath  spoken  to  me  of  the  city. 
What  dreadful  thing  hath  chanced,  and  who  hath 
done  it  ? 


102  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

FLAVIUS 

Thy  friend  hath  enemies.    The  priesthood  hates  him. 
He  knew  his  danger,  for  he  took  good  care. 
They  could  not  come  upon  him  but  by  stealth. 
'Twas  in  a  garden,  at  Gethsemane, 
He  thought  himself  secure,  with  his  companions. 
There  was,  I  hear,  some  traitor  in  the  fold. 
They  stole  upon  him  suddenly,  with  guards, 
Bound  him  with  chains,  and  hurried  him  to  prison. 

MARY 

The  Lord  will  loose  his  bonds:  the  Lord  will  help 

him. 
The  Lord  will  shatter  all  his  enemies. 

FLAVIUS 

The  Lord,  it  seems,  hath  overlooked  this  matter. 
The  priesthood  of  the  Temple  hath  prevailed. 
From  the  High  Priest  they  brought  him  to  my  uncle. 
The  charge  was  treason  —  treason  against  Rome  — 
That  he  had  sought  to  seize  Judea's  crown. 

MARY 

\_Rising,  in  agony  of  suspense^ 
And  what  said  Pilate  ? 

FLAVIUS 

We  Romans,  whom  the  Jews  denounce  as  tyrants, 
Are  little  like  your  priestly  potentates,  — 
The  mad  fanatics  of  your  gloomy  race,  — 


MARY  OF  MA  CD  ALA  103 

Cruel  and  fierce  and  ruthless.     Pilate  said : 

'  This  man  is  innocent  and  should  go  free : 

I  find  no  harm  in  him :  he  is  a  dreamer.' 

But,  while  he  stood  in  patient  silence  by, 

The  angry  multitude  cried  '  Death  '  upon  him. 

Then  Pilate  washed  his  hands,  and,  turning,  said, 

'  Lo !  I  am  innocent  of  this  man's  blood  : 

Do  with  him  as  you  will.' 

And  then  the  populace  —  the  dear,  sweet  people  — 

Bore  off  their  victim.  — To-morrow  — 

[MARY  sinks  to  the  floor •.] 
Mary! 

[FLAVIUS  springs  up  and  raises  MARY.] 

Be  calm  !     Be  strong !     All  is  not  lost. 


MARY 

Yea,  thou  art  right ;  he  will  not  be  forsaken ! 
His  faithful  followers  —  they  that  loved  him  so  — 
Will  they  not  break  the  prison  where  he  lies, 
And  save  their  Master  ? 


FLAVIUS 

The  cowards  !   They  have  fled  like  trembling  sheep, 
That  see  their  shepherd  mangled  by  the  wolf. 
'Twas  one  of  them  betrayed  him  unto  Caiaphas, — 
Where,  in  a  garden  of  Gethsemane, 
By  night  and  secretly,  he  might  be  taken. 


IO4  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

MARY 
[  With  thought  of  JUDAS.] 

Who  was  it  ?     God  of  Zion !   if  that  were  true ! 

No — no — I  cannot  think  it.    [With  sudden  resolution] 

I  thank  thee.     Fare  thee  well. 

FLAVIUS 
Where  wilt  thou  go  ? 

MARY 

To  Simon — to  his  followers — to  them  all, 
To  ask  if  they  can  live,  when  he  is  dead. 
And,  if  shame  burns  the  heart  of  none  of  them, 
To  think  of  him,  abandoned,  in  his  woe, 
Then  to  the  High  Priest  of  Jerusalem ! 
Surely  my  prayers  and  tears  will  melt  his  heart. 

FLAVIUS 

A  stone  were  easier  melted  than  the  heart 
Of  that  fierce  priest.     Nay,  Mary,  do  not  hope  it. 
Thy  friend  is  lost,  —  unless  a  miracle  [Significantly} 
Be  wrought  to  bring  him  rescue. 

MARY 

There  is  some  way  to  save  him.     There  must  be. 
And  thou  dost  know  it,  Flavius. 

FLAVIUS 

Perhaps  there  is  one  way  to  help  thee,  Mary. 

As  yet  he  lives. 

There  is  one  other  night  before  his  doom, 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  10$ 

And  in   a   night  —  this   night  —  there's   much   may 

happen. 

'Twould  not  be  easy :  yet  it  might  be  done. 
My  kinsman,  Pilate,  still  hath  power  to  free  him, 
And  Pilate  loves  me  well.     Were  I  to  urge 
His  swift  release,  with  certain  reasons  for  it  — 
Reasons  of  State,  —  (my  uncle  hath  no  heart 
In  this  bad  business,  and  his  wife  has  begged  him, 
By  every  means,  to  stop  it,) — very  like 
He  would  accept  my  counsel. 

MARY 

At  last  I  see  thee  truly,  as  thou  art,  — 

Noble  and  good ! 

Ah,  Flavius,  let  me  kneel  and  kiss  thy  hand, 

Thy  bounteous  hand,  that  gives  me  more  than  life. 

FLAVIUS 
I  said  perchance  I  might — not  that  I  would! 

MARY 

But,  if  this  deed  were  possible  at  all, 
Thou  would'st  make  haste  to  do  it. 
Think,  good  Flavius !     He  lies  in  chains ! 
He  is  condemned  to  death  ! 

FLAVIUS 

And  am  I  not  in  chains  ?     Do  I  not  suffer  ? 
O  Mary,  from  the  hour  when  first  we  met, 
My  heart  has  had  no  other  pulse  but  love  — 


106  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

No  other  thought  by  day  nor  dream  by  night, 
But  of  thy  peerless  beauty.     All  the  world 
Is  desolate  for  me  when  thou  art  gone. 
Canst  thou  not  whisper  any  word  of  hope 
To  him  that  loves  thee  better  than  his  life  ? 
Canst  thou  not  cast  aside  this  strange  delusion  — 
This  fevered  dream  of  something  in  the  clouds  — 
That  hath  so  changed  thy  nature  ? 

MARY 
It  is  changed.     I  do  not  understand  thee. 

FLAVIUS 

I  love  thee,  Mary. 

And  wilt  thou  give  me  not  a  single  smile  ? 
A  single  kiss  ?     Ah,  Mary,  do  not  scorn  me ! 
We  will  go  far  from  here.     We'll  dwell  together, 
Where  none  will  trouble  us,  or  know  the  past, 
And  we'll  be  happy,  Mary  ! 

MARY 
Thou  darest  to  think  — 

FLAVIUS 

I  think  of  nothing  but  thy  beauty,  Mary. 

Thy  beauty  and  my  love.     Thou  shalt  decide. 

I've  said  that  I  can  save  him  —  and  I  will. 

Be  mine  —  and  he  is  saved.     Wake  from  this  dream. 

I  give  thee  time  to  choose. 

At  midnight  I  will  knock  upon  thy  door 

To  know  thy  answer. 


MARY  OF  MA  CD  A  LA 


[FLAVIUS  goes  out  hurriedly,  C.  MARY  sinks  down  at 
couch.  RACHEL  enters,  L.  U.  E.,  crosses  to  C.,  and 
bars  the  door.  She  quickly  goes  out,  L.  U.  E.~\ 


MARY 

0  nameless  torture  !     Lifting  me  to  heaven, 
Only  to  hurl  me  to  the  depths  of  hell ! 
Demon  !     Demon !     Demon  ! 

Father  in  heaven,  descend  upon  my  soul 

And  light  my  way,  that  I  may  know  Thy  will. 

Thou  knowest  I  have  struggled  toward  the  light, 

Tried  to  be  worthy,  kneeling  at  the  feet 

Of  him,  the  holy  one,  Thy  messenger ! 

And  must  I  now  be  thrust  back  into  shame  ? 

Sink  till  the  tide  of  death  flow  over  me  — 

The  black  and  hideous  waves,  that  gulf  the  soul  — 

And  I  be  lost  forever  ? 

Give  me  a  sign,  that  I  may  know  my  doom  !  .  .  . 

Silence  and  darkness  !  .  .  .     Stealthy  feet  of  sin 

Creep  toward  my  dwelling,  in  the  treacherous  night 

No  hand  is  raised  to  save,  no  voice  of  doom 

To  fright  this  reptile  horror  from  my  door. 

1  am  alone,  and  utterly  forsaken. 

What  doth  it  matter  ?  —  Though  my  heart  be  clean, 
This,  my  poor  body,  is  dishonored  so, 
That  all  the  tears  of  all  the  world  were  vain 
To  wash  away  my  sins.     Thy  will  be  done ! 
The  sacrifice  be  Thine ! 

[  With  great  passion  and  a  lamentable  cry.] 


108  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

But  if  I  give  myself  to  this  defilement, 
Endure  this  shame,  make  this  dread  sacrifice,  — 
In  the  abhorrent  night  of  my  despair, 
Where  shall  I  turn  for  peace  ? 

\_Enter  JUDAS,  R.    MARY  rises."] 

JUDAS 

The  door  was  barred.     I  found  another  way  — 
Across  thy  garden  wall. 
I  have  a  word  that  must  be  said  to  thee, 
And  thou  must  hear  it. 

MARY 
[Retreating  from  JUDAS.] 

No  words  of  thine  —  nor  looks  —  nor  anything  ! 
I  shudder  to  behold  thee !     Come  not  near ! 
Thou  art  acctirs'd.     'Tis  thou  hast  done  this  deed. 

JUDAS 
Who  tells  thee  so  ? 

MARY 
Thy  face  hath  told  me.    There's  no  need  of  words. 

JUDAS 

He  was  the  public  enemy  —  and  mine ! 

The  man  was  not  my  brother.     Does  a  brother 

Blast  a  man's  heart — his  pride  —  his  faith  —  his  hope  ? 

Make  him  a  beggar  first,  and  then  a  recreant  ? 

Did  I  not  give  up  all,  to  follow  him  ? 

Count  on  the  hour  when  he  should  bid  us  strike, 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  109 

And  slay  the  Roman  ? 

And  did  he  not,  at  last,  desert  our  cause,  — 

Bidding  us  love  our  enemies  and  bless  them  ? 

MARY 
And  to  this  fiend  I  gave  a  woman's  love ! 

JUDAS 

They  thought  'twas  gold  that  tempted  me ;  the  fools ! 

I  cast  it  in  their  faces.     All  the  treasure 

That's  heaped  within  the  Temple  could  not  bless  me, 

As  doth  the  knowledge  that  my  soul  is  free. 

Judas  will  be  no  dupe.     'Twas  I  that  did  it ! 

And  I  have  saved  Judea  from  her  shame. 

I  know  the  lips  of  slaves  will  utter  curses 

Upon  the  name  of  Judas.     Be  it  so  ! 

Weakness  still  hateth  strength.     My  vindication 

Will  be  the  praise  of  every  patriot  heart 

That  beats  for  Israel. 

MARY 
\_Lamentations,  outside,  are  audible.~\ 

Forbear  thy  raving  !  Peace,  I  say  !  Depart ! 
Go  from  my  home.  Here  is  no  place  for  thee. 
And  never  let  me  see  thy  face  again. 

JUDAS 

Thou  sayest  well.     Here  is  no  place  for  me. 
The  doors  of  all  Jerusalem  are  clos'd, 
And  I  must  be  an  outcast  evermore. 


HO  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

The  number  of  the  fools  that  follow  him 

Is  great,  and  madness  may  give  folly  power. 

They  call  it  treachery,  which  was  their  rescue. 

Even  the  priests  may  not  avail  to  shield  me. 

I  will  betake  me  to  some  other  place, 

Where  there's  no  blight  upon  the  name  of  Judas. 

But  not  alone :  thou  shalt  go  with  me,  Mary. 

MARY 
Thou  art  mad ! 

JUDAS 

Mad  were  I,  if  I  left  my  love  behind  — 
Only  to  brood,  in  my  new  dwelling-place, 
On  all  her  life,  and  light,  and  joy,  and  splendor, 
When  she  revives  and  is  herself  again. 
My  hopes  are  shatter'd,  like  a  broken  reed. 
My  soul  is  full  of  wrath  and  bitterness. 
I  have  lost  all  but  thee.     This  is  the  end. 
Mine  art  thou,  soul  and  body  —  wholly  mine  ! 
Therefore  make  ready  to  depart  with  me. 
To-morrow,  at  the  dawn,  I'll  come  for  thee. 

MARY 

To-morrow  will  be  mine  —  and  what  it  brings 
Will  be  my  secret,  and  my  destiny. 

JUDAS 

I  know  thy  thought — to  testify  thy  faith ; 
There,  in  the  track  that  leads  to  Golgotha. 
Thou  would'st  cast  down  thy  body,  where  the  feet 


MAR  Y  OF  MA  GDALA  III 

Of  the  vile  rabble  and  the  hoofs  of  horses 
Might  trample  thee  to  death.     Thou  shalt  not  do  it. 
Behold  !  the  hand  of  Judas  shall  prevent  thee, 
And  stay  thy  madness. 

[JUDAS  draws  his  dagger. ~\ 

MARY 

\_Speaking  softly  and  slowly '.] 

That  way  would  be  the  shortest  and  the  best. 
That  knife  of  thine  would  cut  the  dangerous  knot, 
And  make  all  smooth.     I  trust  the  edge  is  keen. 
I  never  thought  that  I  should  ask  from  hate 
The  tender  help  and  offices  of  love. 
But,  let  me  tell  thee  — 

JUDAS 

Think  not  to  escape. 

MARY 

There's  neither  thought,  nor  wish,  nor  dream  of  that. 
Come  to  me  at  the  dawning.     Bring  the  knife. 
I  will  lay  bare  my  bosom,  point  the  place, 
Show  thee  my  heart,  where  once  it  used  to  beat, 
Even  for  thee. 

JUDAS 

Flight  is  impossible.     Remember  that. 

MARY 

And  flight  were  foolish,  from  my  only  hope. 
Death,  at  thy  hand,  would  be  a  blessing,  Judas. 
It  brings  no  terror.     In  the  morning,  come. 
But  let  this  night  be  mine.     It  must  —  it  shall  be. 


1 1 2  MAR  Y  Of  MA  GDALA 

JUDAS 
[Sound  of  lamentation  outside  is  audible."} 

What  is  thy  purpose  ? 

MARY 

My  purpose  is  the  purpose  of  my  fate  — 
Whatever  that  may  be.     This  night  is  mine. 

JUDAS 

So  be  it,  then  !     To-morrow,  at  the  dawn  ! 
Either  a  life  with  me  —  far  off  from  here  — 
Or  —  in  Jerusalem  —  a  grave. 

[Exit  JUDAS,  R.    Enter  RACHEL,  Z.] 

RACHEL 

No  one  has  entered  since  the  Roman  went ; 
Yet,  as  I  came,  I  heard  another  voice. 

MARY 

'Twas  nothing ;  'twas  a  fancy. 
Where  hast  thou  been  ? 

RACHEL 

Into  the  street  —  but  only  for  a  step. 

Many  are  in  the  street.     There  is  some  trouble ; 

A  great  calamity.     The  people  moan. 

They  say  — 

MARY 

[Interrupting  her.~\ 

That  he  is  bound  with  chains  —  in  prison  — 
To-morrow  will  be  slain. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  113 

RACHEL 

Thou  knowest  all. 
But  who  hath  told  thee  ? 

MARY 
A  demon  —  as  I  think. 

RACHEL 

Almighty  Heaven !     And  thou  speak'st  so  calmly. 
This  cruel  thing !     This  butchery  !     This  horror  ! 

MARY 
The  morning  light  will  show  how  calm  I  am ! 

RACHEL 

Something  strange  sounds  in  thy  voice,  dear  lady. 

Try  to  rest. 

We  can  do  nothing :  and  my  soul  is  sick 

With  fear  for  thee. 

MARY 

Be  comforted,  dear  heart.     All  will  be  well. 
Thou  hast  been  kind  to  me.     Thou  wilt  be  glad 
To  see  my  troubles  cease. 

They  have  been  heavy  ;  they  grow  lighter  now ; 
They  will  be  gone  to-morrow.     Never  fear ! 

RACHEL 

If  I  could  only  see  thee  smile  again ! 

I  know  not  why  —  but  my  heart  shudders  when 

I  look  upon  thy  face. 


114  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

MARY 

Be  of  good  cheer !     There  will  be  smiles  to-morrow, 

And  many  happy  faces  in  the  streets. 

I  have  a  thing  to  tell  would  make  thee  glad, 

But  must  not  tell  it  yet.     Go  to  thy  rest. 

Bring  me  some  wine. 

There  is  a  fire  within  my  bosom  here, 

Tears  cannot  quench. 

RACHEL 
[Sorrowfully.] 
If  she  could  only  sleep. 

[Exit  RACHEL,  Z.] 

MARY 
I  must  watch. 

No  rest  for  Mary,  any  more  on  earth. 

[She  fakes  the  parchment,  as  if  to  read.~\ 

No  scribe  hath  written  it  —  no  sacred  book 
Can  give  one  word  of  comfort 

[Drops  the  parchment.] 

Not  since  the  world  began  was  any  fate 
So  dread  as  that  which  hangeth  over  me. 

[Re'enter  RACHEL,  Z.,  bringing  wine.] 

RACHEL 

Thou  art  burnt  up  with  fever :  wilt  thou  feed 
Oil  to  the*flame  ? 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  115 

MARY 


Give  me  the  cup. 

[She  seizes  a  cup  of  wine.'] 
Hark !     Is  he  come  so  soon  ? 

\_Faint  sound  of  storm. ~\ 


RACHEL 

There's  no  one  coming. 

It  is  the  night  wind  shakes  the  door  a  little. 

A  storm  is  rising. 

MARY 

Take  away  the  wine. 

Thou  art  right.     'Tis  better  that  I  should  not  drink. 
I  must  be  gay  and  beautiful  to-night. 
It  is  the  bridal  feast. 

RACHEL 

Alas  !     Alas  !     Her  mind  is  wandering. 

Thou  dost  break  my  heart,  with  thy  dark  sayings. 

MARY 

They  will  all  be  clear.     Wait  but  the  morning. 

Everything  is  well. 

I  think  sometimes  I've  been  unkind  to  thee  — 

Harsh  and  imperious,  in  my  days  of  pride. 

Thou  wilt  forgive  me  ?     Thou  wilt  speak  my  name, 

Sometimes,  with  love  ? 

Thou  wilt  not  all  forget  me,  when  I'm  gone. 

RACHEL 

Thou  hast  been  very  kind  to  thy  poor  Rachel ; 
And  I  have  loved  thee  as  a  mother  doth 


Il6  MARY  OF  MA  CD  ALA 

The  child  that  she  hath  carried  next  her  heart. 
I  could  not  bear  to  lose  thee. 

MARY 
Be  calm  and  listen. 

It  may  be  that  I  have  not  long  to  live. 
Thou  art  the  only  creature  in  the  world 
Will  grieve  for  Mary.     Promise  thou  wilt  wrap 
The  shroud  around  me.     Let  no  hand  but  thine 
Touch  my  poor  body.     Lay  me  in  the  grave, 
And  strew  some  flowers  upon  it. 

RACHEL 
What  is  it  thou  art  saying  ? 

MARY 

We  cannot  know  the  measure  of  our  days, 

Or  whether  we  shall  see  to-morrow's  sun. 

But  I  have  taken  careful  thought  of  thee ; 

All  that  I  have  is  thine.     Now  come  and  kiss  me 

And  then  —  to  rest. 

RACHEL 

[Embracing  MARY,  and  weeping.~\ 
Ah,  woe  is  me,  that  I  should  see  this  hour. 

MARY 

Hush,  dear !     No  tears  !     For  I  shall  be  at  rest. 
Now  leave  me,  Rachel.     I  would  be  alone. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  117 

[Exit  RACHEL,  sobbing,  L.  Occasional  low  sounds  of 
storm  and  rushing  wind  should  be  audible,  at  intervals, 
till  the  end  of  the  act,  but  they  must  be  so  made  as  not 
to  drown  the  words^\ 

Shall  I  not  hear  his  voice  ?     Will  he  not  say 

'  Surely  she  hath  lov'd  much,  and  unto  her 

Shall  much  be  now  forgiven  '  — 

Only  to  have  no  will  —  to  lose  all  knowledge  ! 

Be  as  the  leaf  is,  that  the  rushing  storm 

Rends  from  the  tree !     Was  that  a  footstep  ?     Hark  ! 

No  !  'tis  but  the  wind  — 

Or  'tis  the  blood  that  rushes  to  my  brain. 

I  must  be  firm  —  and  steadfast  to  my  purpose ; 

Think  but  one  thought  —  that  he  lies  there,  in  chains, 

And  hearkens  to  the  noises  in  the  street, 

And  hears  the  storm,  as  I  do. 

Make  sure  thou  art  remember'd  in  thy  woe ! 

The  hour  of  thy  deliverance  draws  near ! 

The  soldiers  shall  not  drag  thee  to  the  cross  ! 

Thou  shalt  be  saved,  —  and  I,  —  poor,  sinful  wretch,  — 

I  shall  have  part  in  thy  deliverance. 

\_Knocking  at  door,  C.~] 

Merciful  heaven  !     It  is  the  sound  of  doom ! 
[She  gazes  wildly  around,  as  if  to  escape '.] 

Yea,  I  am  ready :  instantly  I  come. 

Why  do  I  tremble  now  ?     The  way  is  short : 

Only  to  draw  the  bolt. 

I've  answered  other  voices  that  I  knew  : 

To-night  it  is  the  voice  of  death  that  speaks. 


1 1 8  MAR  Y  OF  MA  CD  ALA 

\_Louder  knocking  is   heard  at  door,   C.,  and  sound 
of  tempest,~\ 

It  is  not  midnight  yet :  'tis  very  early. 

The  sun  is  hardly  set. 

Patience  —  have  patience. 

I'm  worn  with  watching  and  I've  wept  my  heart  out. 

[ Mary  moves  toward  door,  C.~] 

FLAVIUS 
\_Speaking  outside.~\ 
It  is  I  —  Flavius  —  thy  lover  —  Flavius. 

MARY 

A  black  abyss !     I  cannot  cross  it !     There  — 
There  —  in    the    darkness  —  there  —  his    face  —  his 

eyes  — 

They  burn  into  my  soul !     I  hear  his  voice  — 
'  What  dost  thou,  Mary  ?     Art  thou  not  redeem'd  ? 
And  wilt  thou  be  dishonored  ?  desecrate  ? ' 

FLAVIUS 
Dost  thou  not  hear  me,  Mary  ? 

MARY 
Be  thou  my  strength !     Do  not  forsake  me  now. 

FLAVIUS 
I  see  the  glimmer  of  thy  lamp  within. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  119 

MARY 
Guard  me,  ye  heavenly  angels  !     Be  my  shield ! 

FLAVIUS 


For  the  last  time  —  good  night ! 

MARY 

\_Rushes  frantically  at  the  door  and   hurls    herself 
against  it^\ 

Flavius !     Flavius ! 
Have  mercy  on  me ! 

\_She  faints  and  falls .] 
QUICK  CURTAIN 


ACT  V 


ACT   V 

SCENE  :  Near  Jerusalem. 

A  wild  ravine.  In  the  background,  rocks,  through  which  a 
path,  L.,  leads  to  the  hill  of  Calvary.  Another  path  is 
•visible,  and  practicable,  JR.  Dark  sky  ;  storm.  Occa- 
sional faint  flashes  of  lightning  and  dull  peals  of  thunder. 

Enter  JUDAS 

JUDAS 

Where  shall  I  turn  —  accursed  that  I  am  ? 

Up  to  the  scene  of  death  that  is  my  work  ? 

Is  it  not  evermore  before  my  eyes  ? 

Do  I  not  see  them  bind  him  to  the  cross  ? 

Do  I  not  see  the  nails  that  pierce  his  hands  ? 

Do  I  not  hear  the  hammer  strokes  that  drive  them  ? 

The  thorns  that  tear  his  brow  —  do  I  not  feel  them  ? 

\_Thunder  and  lightning.     He  falls  upon  the  rocks, ,] 

The  fires  of  hell  are  raging  in  my  bosom. 
Sleeping  or  waking,  still  I  see  his  face, 
And  still  his  calm  lips  murmur,  '  Thou  art  mine  ! 
Thou  canst  not  separate  thyself  from  me. 
I  love  thee,  that  hast  been  my  enemy  ! 

123 


124  MARY  OF  MAG D ALA 

I  do  not  curse  thee.' 

O  a  thousand  times 

His  curse  were  more  a  mercy  than  his  pardon. 

It  bows  me  to  the  dust ! 

\Thunder  and  lightning.~\ 

O  Thou  that  hast  the  lightnings  in  Thy  hand, 
Hast  Thou  no  bolt  for  this  curse-laden  head  ? 

\Peal  of  thunder.~\ 

Not  one  avenging  stroke  ? 

Must  I  live  on,  to  be  my  own  damnation  ? 

He  called  Thee  Father.     I  have  shed  his  blood. 

Is  there  no  cliff  whence  I  can  cast  myself 

And  so  be  dashed  to  pieces  ? 

\Jle  starts  up  wildly.    Flashes  of  lightning  and  loud 
peals  of  thunder.~\ 

It  is  the  end ! 

The  Lord  hath  come  in  tempest,  hath  descended, 

And  the  pure  soul  of  him,  His  messenger, 

Is  borne  beyond  the  stars. 

Where  shall  I  turn  to  hide  my  guilty  face  ? 

\_Enter  hurriedly,  descending  from  the  hill  of  Calvary, 
HARAN.] 

Thou  comest  from  the  hill  of  Calvary  ? 
What  didst  thou  see  ? 

HARAN 

Delay  me  not !     I  have  beheld  a  sight 

That  drowns  my  senses,  steeping  them  in  blood. 

My  very  soul  shudders  to  think  of  it. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  12$ 

JUDAS 

Then  all  is  over  ? 

HARAN 

A  great  man  hath  been  butchered,  just  and  wise, 

To  glut  the  anger  of  a  jealous  priesthood, 

And  the  vile  passions  of  a  cruel  mob. 

The  people  thronged  around  me  in  such  numbers 

That  I  was  like  to  perish.     Not  one  hand 

Was  raised  to  save  him. 

Not  one  of  all  whose  sickness  he  hath  healed, 

Not  one  of  all  whose  hearts  his  love  hath  bless'd, 

Came  nigh  to  do  him  service.     Then  I  fled. 

JUDAS 
Of  his  disciples,  not  a  single  one  ? 

HARAN 

Not  one.     There  was  not  any  man  that  dared 

To  tempt  the  anger  of  his  brutal  foes. 

He  was  betrayed  by  one  of  his  companions. 

JUDAS 
Which  one  of  them  ?     Didst  thou  not  hear  his  name  ? 

HARAN 

I  heard  it  whispered.     Judas  was  his  name  — 
And  by  that  name  hereafter  shall  be  known, 
Throughout  the  world  and  till  the  end  of  time, 
The  miscreant  who  doth  betray  his  friend, 


126  MARY  OF  MAG D ALA 

And  give  the  blood  of  trusting  innocence 

To  ruin  and  to  death. 

Stay  me  no  longer !     I  will  hie  away 

From  all  the  horrors  of  this  dismal  place, 

Even  while  I  can. 

I  was  the  guest  of  Caiaphas,  the  priest. 

I  could  not  look  upon  his  face  again  — 

The  face  of  murder  and  of  infamy. 

[HARAN   rushes  out  quickly,   R.,   toward  Jerusalem. 
Thunder  and  lightning.] 


JUDAS 

'  And  by  that  name  hereafter  shall  be  known, 
Throughout  the  world  and  till  the  end  of  time, 
The  miscreant  who  doth  betray  his  friend ! ' 
So  must  it  be.     But  not  the  voice  of  man 
Hath  any  terror  for  the  soul  of  Judas. 
What  care  I  for  the  ignorant  multitude  ? 
But  if  his  word  be  true, 
If  that  which  he  hath  promised  be  fulfilled, 
How  shall  my  soul  stand  up  before  his  eyes  ? 
Where  shall  I  hide  the  horror  of  my  guilt  ? 

\_Lamentations  are  heard.      The   multitiide  begin   to 
descend  the  heights.] 

They  come,  the  people,  miserable  dogs. 
They  shall  not  crush  me  underneath  their  feet. 
Judas  hath  lived  his  life,  and  only  Judas 
Shall  be  his  judge. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  I2/ 

[Exit  JUDAS,  R.  FLAVIUS  and  CAIAPHAS  appear  at  top 
of  the  path  from  Calvary,  with  priests  and  soldiers, 
all  descending  in  tumult.'} 

FLAVIUS 

Art  thou  content,  O  priest  ? 
And  is  thy  thirst  for  vengeance  satisfied  ? 
This  was  thy  work  —  the  death  of  innocence. 
We  Romans  are  not  guilty  of  this  blood. 

CAIAPHAS 

He  lifted  up  his  hand  against  our  Law. 

We  judged  and  we  condemned  him. 

You  Romans,  you  have  sacrificed  whole  peoples, 

That  would  not  bow  their  necks  beneath  your  yoke  — 

Nations  that  knew  you  not,  and  over  whom 

You  had  no  just  dominion. 

If  thou  didst  hold  him  dear  and  think  him  sacred, 

Why  didst  thou  not  defend  him  ? 

FLAVIUS 

Would  that  I  had !     I  cared  not  for  your  quarrel. 

I  ever  took  him  for  an  idle  dreamer; 

But  when  I  saw  the  grandeur  in  his  face, 

And  heard  him  speak  that  pardon  from  the  cross, 

On  thee  and  all  thy  misbegotten  rabble, 

I  knew  the  man  was  godlike. 

Haughty  priest !   I  tell  thee  he  was  victor   in  this 

battle  — 
Not  you,  nor  your  dark  deity  of  wrath ! 


128  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

CAIAPHAS 

Thou  art  an  idle  boy.     Thy  years  are  raw. 
Tarry  yet  longer  in  Jerusalem, 
And  learn  to  know  us  better. 

FLAVIUS 

Not  a  day  longer  in  this  cursed  place  — 
Foul  with  the  taint  of  bigotry  and  blood. 
To-morrow  will  I  turn  my  face  to  Rome, 
Bearing  the  story  of  this  fatal  deed, 
Which  lieth  heavy  on  my  uncle's  heart. 
And  I  will  bear  away  the  memory 
Of  that  just  man,  who,  from  the  bitter  cross, 
Looked  down  upon  me  with  a  smile  of  blessing. 

[MARY  appears  at  the  top  of  the  path.  She  is  crazed 
with  grief.  SIMON  and  MIRIAM  are  with  her  and 
strive  to  restrain  her.  She  breaks  from  them.~\ 

MARY 

I  say  release  me.     Who  hath  given  you  power 
To  stay  me  from  my  place  ? 

FLAVIUS 
Yonder  she  comes  —  poor,  miserable  wretch  ! 

SIMON 
Come  with  us,  Mary.     Let  us  lead  thee  home. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

MARY 

I  have  no  home,  save  there  beneath  the  cross. 
That  is  my  home.     Let  me  go  back  to  it  — 
And  with  my  tears  I'll  wash  away  the  blood. 

SIMON 
Mary,  be  calm !     All  eyes  are  turned  on  thee. 

MARY 
So  should  they  be. 

When  there  is  murder  done,  all  eyes  are  turned 

Upon  the  murderer. 

Look  on  me,  people  of  Jerusalem  ! 

'Twas  I  that  murdered  him  !  —  But  not  alone. 

There  was  one  other.     Let  it  be  avenged. 

Are  there  not  stones  enough  to  strike  us  down  ? 

MIRIAM 
Poor  soul !     Her  mind  hath  gone. 

SIMON 
Her  words  are  wild. 

MARY 
[Pointing  to  FLAVIUS.] 

Yonder  he  stands  —  and,  see  —  he  tries  to  smile. 

He  will  be  silent  —  but  he  knows  our  secret. 

God  will  not  let  him  ever  smile  again. 

Good  night,  fair  world. 

Thou  art  a  pit,  and  it  is  full  of  serpents. 


130  MARY  OF  MA  CD  ALA 

There  was  one  creature  in  the  shape  of  man  — 
But  he  was  much  too  beautiful  for  thee. 
Thou  wert  ashamed  when  he  did  see  thy  face. 
Thou  didst  pursue  him,  giving  him  no  rest 
And  there  was  one  betrayed  him,  in  the  dark. 
I  might  have  saved  him.     Now  his  shining  eyes 
Are  closed  forever. 

CAIAPHAS 

Take  this  mad  woman  hence,  and  keep  her  close. 
She  sought  my  door,  at  midnight,  begging  me 
To  set  the  prisoner  free. 
She  sought  his  prison,  offering  to  the  watch 
Her  gold  and  jewels.     Her  weak  brain  is  turned. 

MARY 

Look  on  him,  people  of  Jerusalem. 

He  is  the  ravening  wolf  hath  torn  the  lamb. 

His  hands  are  red  with  blood — the  innocent  blood. 

But  one  day  it  shall  be  required  of  him  ! 

CAIAPHAS 

Seize  the  blaspheming  wanton.     To  the  prison  ! 
Lest  she  do  raise  a  clamor  'gainst  the  Temple, 
And  us,  that  have  done  justice  on  a  foe. 

FLAVIUS 

[Drawing  his  sword.~\ 
Let  no  one  dare  to  touch  her ! 

\_To  the  soldier s.~\ 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  131 

Close  around  me ! 

\_The  Roman  soldiers  press  around  FLAVIUS  and  shield 
M.ARY/rom  the  Priests  of  CAIAPHAS.] 

Beneath  the  Roman  eagle  she  is  safe ! 

CAIAPHAS 
\_Enraged.~] 

The  blame  be  thine  if  violence  and  riot 
Rage  through  the  city.     Pilate  shall  know  all. 
And  we,  the  sacred  priesthood,  be  assured, 
Can  guard  ourselves. 

[Exeunt  CAIAPHAS  and  Priests,  R.,  toward  Jerusalem. 
FLAVIUS  approaches  MARY  and  touches  her  hand.'] 

FLAVIUS 
Do  you  not  know  me,  Mary  ? 

MARY 
'Tis  Flavius  !     Bar  the  door.     He  must  not  enter ! 

FLAVIUS 
Poor  Mary !     Flavius  is  indeed  thy  friend. 

MARY 

Hadst  thou  been  so,  thou  wouldst  have  done  the  deed 
My  soul  desired,  saving  his  precious  life ! 

FLAVIUS 

It  was  his  will  to  die  :  I  could  not  save  him. 
My  soul  is  guiltless,  Mary.     Come  with  me  — 


132  MARY  OF  MA  CD  ALA 

We  will  go  far  from  this  polluted  land. 
Trust  in  my  truth.     I  will  protect  thee,  Mary, 
And  ask  for  no  reward  but  thy  forgiveness. 

\_Enter  RACHEL,  R.    She  hastens  to  MARY.] 

MARY 

Farewell.     There  is  a  friend  who  waits  for  me  — 
There  —  in  my  house.     He  will  do  much  for  love. 
He  says  he  loves  me.     I  must  go  to  him. 
Come,  Rachel. 

RACHEL 

Not  to  our  home !     Not  thither.     Terror  waits  — 
Terror  and  death. 

MARY 

It  hath  no  terror.     Nay,  it  is  a  friend. 

RACHEL 

Prevent  her,  friends ! 

Upon  a  fig  tree,  in  our  garden,  yonder, 

Judas  hath  hanged  himself.     She  must  not  know. 

SIMON 

Heaven  be  his  judge  —  not  man.     Go  with  us,  Mary. 
Be  as  my  child  and  I  will  care  for  thee. 

MARY 

I  thank  thee.     He  is  waiting  at  the  cross. 
I  must  go  home. 

FLAVIUS 

She  knows  not  what  she  says. 


MARY  OF  MAGDALA  133 

SIMON 

Not  at  the  cross,  my  child ;  he  is  not  there. 
He  hath  gone  from  us,  for  a  little  while,  — 
Far  from  us,  —  and  our  hearts  are  very  sad. 
But  he  will  not  forget  us,  in  our  sorrow ; 
And  one  day  we  shall  see  his  face  again. 
He  ever  taught  us  to  be  patient,  Mary. 
Wilt  thou  not  try  to  be  so  ?    For  his  sake  ? 

MARY 

Yes  :  he  was  patient  —  patient  even  with  me, 
That  have  so  deeply  sinned.     But  thou  dost  know 
He  did  forgive  me.     All  of  you  remember  — 
I  was  forgiven. 

SIMON 

We  remember  it. 

Have  comfort,  Mary :  all  will  yet  be  well. 
There  is  no  human  soul  so  steeped  in  sin 
But  by  repentance  it  may  be  redeemed, 
And  come  to  him. 

MARY 

I  must  go  to  him,  now. 

SIMON 

That  may  not  be.     But,  after  many  days, 
If  we  are  faithful,  he  will  come  to  us. 

MARY 

And  shall  we  see  him,  as  we  used  to  do, 
And  hear  his  voice  ? 


134  MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

SIMON 

Yes,  daughter,  we  shall  see  him. 
Will  thou  not,  Mary,  wait  for  his  return  ? 

MARY 
[Pausing.] 

And  dost  thou  think  that  he  will  come  again  ? 
I  could  watch  many  nights.     I  am  not  weary  — 
Only  there's  something  moaning  at  my  door  — 
And  in  my  heart  — 

SIMON 
He  said  that  he  would  come  again ;  he  promised. 

MARY 
[In  sudden  ecstasy.] 

And  if  he  promised  it,  he  will  come  back. 

No  falsehood  ever  fell  from  those  pure  lips. 

He  will  come  back.     He  hath  the  power  to  come. 

He  that  could  raise  my  soul  out  of  the  grave, 

He  for  himself  can  loose  the  bonds  of  death. 

He  will  come  back.     It  will  be  very  soon. 

I  have  so  many  things  to  ask  of  him ! 

I'll  go  with  thee. 

We  shall  be  very  happy  when  he  comes. 

He  knows  thy  house.     'Twas  there  I  saw  him  first. 

[  The  scene  grows  lighter^ 


MARY  OF  MA  CD  ALA  135 

Yes,  I  will  go  with  thee. 

And  my  poor  Rachel,  she  shall  go  with  us. 

{The  moon  breaks  through  the  storm-clouds  and  illumines 
the  scene  with  a  soft  light. ~] 

Behold  the  sign  !    God  sets  it  in  the  heavens ! 
He  will  come  back ! 

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